A.A. Badenhorst Papegaai Dry Red 2021

Prompted by my article, “Why are there not more light red wines?”, André Badenhorst, father of the renowned Adi, replied: “When I was at Buitenverwachting many years ago, I planted Gamay Noir which Jean Daneel produced using the carbonic maceration process. It was my idea of creating some fun, getting the wine out as soon as possible following the Beaujolais tradition. We had an annual L’Arrivé day with hundreds of people attending, and it certainly helped to put the property on the map”.

Now comes Papegaai Dry Red 2021 from A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines – there are 23 young vineyards, both red and white, on the family property Kalmoesfontein and these get equal representation in this wine, with them picked together (over a few days) and left to ferment on their skins.

It’s spot on as a light, refreshing red. The nose is extraordinarily fragrant with notes of cranberry, raspberry, flowers, fynbos, garden herbs and white pepper while the palate is not heavy but not feeble either (alcohol is 13%). With plenty of freshness and a nicely dry but not overly tannic finish, this is crazy more-ish. There’s even a feel-good factor with some of the proceeds given to the Cape Parrot Project. Price: R120 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

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