Badenhorst, Secateurs Chenin, 2025

Adi Badenhorst is one of the wild hearts of South Africa's Swartland, working old bush-vine vineyards on the granite slopes of the Paardeberg from a cellar he rescued and brought back to life. Secateurs is his everyday Chenin Blanc, but don't let 'everyday' fool you, because few wines this affordable taste this complete. The fruit comes from gnarly old vines rooted in decomposed granite, and the wine rests on its lees in old barrels and big foudres, which adds texture without any oaky flavor. The result is fresh and saline with orchard fruit, a little waxy depth, and serious drinkability. This is the bottle to keep on hand all summer long.