Young Guns and New Wave Producers
Timed Online Auction, 17 - 27 November 2023
Young Gun and New Wave Producers
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About this Item
Magnetic North is a single origin Chenin Blanc wine. Since it’s maiden vintage in 2013, this wine has become a perennial star in our line-up. Every vintage, it manages to combine power and finesse in a way very few other Chenin vineyards from anywhere (not just the Cape) are able to do. From the legendary ‘Skurfberg’ area, South Africa’s ‘grand cru’ site for Chenin Blanc. These vineyards are in the Citrusdal Mountain ward, situtated in the mountain wilderness of the West Coast.
The vineyard lies a few degrees off true north from the cellar, roughly on magnetic North. The name implies distance and exploration. It implies a true course of action or movement. It implies an attractive force causing them to drive miles and miles for there vines. There is plenty of iron in the soil, which is a magnetic element, so that fit nicely too. In physical reality, Magnetic North is always moving, it never remains in the same place, so there is the added implication of a mysterious unattainable target.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Basie van Lill, one of the Cape's greatest growers, provided the grapes for the 1,042 bottles of this Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc, grown at 550 metres and cooled by afternoon breezes. With a pH of 3.1, despite almost completing a full malolactic fermentation, this is racy, pure and almost supernaturally focused with incredible palate length. 2021-33' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 98/100
'From ungrafted Skurfberg Chenin Blanc. A subtle nose displaying a hint of reduction before pear, white peach and lime with a slight herbal note in the background. The palate is lean and linear with a lovely line of acidity and a pithy finish. There’s no shortage of fruit density here but currently the wine appears very tightly wound and should mature with great benefit. The Yin to the Yang that is Huilkrans.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Aug 2019)
'Thrilling 2018 from old (1981, 1984) ungrafted bushvine chenin from Citrusdal Mountain. Quiet starter, but builds on palate adding layers of tart apples, soft spice, lime zest & wet stones. Touch of creaminess balances out really zippy acidity. Just going to get better & better, as with uncompromisingly dry 2017.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5*, 95/100
'The 2018 Magnetic North comes from Citrusdal, like the Huilkrans. It has a much more backward and neutral bouquet, with fleeting pressed flower scents, and does not grab you by the lapels like the Huilkrans. The taut palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, good focus and glimpses of orange pith, apricot and ginger toward the finish. I suspect this is one of Alheit’s 2018s that will demand cellaring. One for the patient.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94+/100 (Oct 2019)
'Opening to a pale gold hue, the 2018 Magnetic North rocks out of the glass with rich, round and robust aromas. The nose is filled with scents of fresh-cut citrus skin, apple, pear, dusty citrus blossom, lemon pastry cream and dusty almonds. Medium-bodied, the mouthfeel is plush and rounded, with energetic acidity that drives the expression across the mid-palate. In the mouth, a growing mineral tension, white spice and nuttiness gain in amplitude, expressing the sophisticated effects of lees aging, concluding with a long, drawn-out finish. The wine is a success and draws me back for more. Tasty stuff!' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92+/100 (Feb 2021)
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