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
Chris and Suzanne Alheit set the wine world on fire with their maiden 2011 Cartology receiving 96 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Aiming to harness the best old vineyards across the Cape, the Cartology offered a textured old-vine Chenin Blanc Semillon blend with startling purity and depth. Passionate and focused on the expression of place, tiny, long-forgotten parcels were added to the range, and are today South Africa’s most profound white wines. We auction maiden vintages of Magnetic Makstok on the legendary ‘Skurfkop’ in the Citrusdal area, Huilkrans in the Paardeberg, La Colline in Franschhoek, and, extremely rare Radio Lazarus in Stellenbosch.
When most people think of Franschhoek, they think of a beautiful little town surrounded by even more beautiful mountains. Not many people know that Franschhoek is the capital of old vine Semillon in the Cape. For wine people, these parcels are a bit of a national treasure.
La Colline is the name of a fruit farm on the southern slopes of the Dassenberg and is home to one of the true greats of Cape heritage vineyards. The vines were planted in 1936 by Antonie Roux, the grandfather of the current farmer Anton Roux. It’s situated between 310 and 350m above sea-level on quartz rich sandstone and granite soil. During summer, these tightly planted bushvines form a wild looking mess of life and grapes. In winter they resemble a crowd of drunkards cartwheeling across the slope. It is a beautiful old thing.
These vines are related to the original vineyard material brought to the Cape in the mid-1600s. Generations of farmers selecting their plants over centuries has led to some unique genetics: parcels of vines like this have several different colours of Semillon growing side by side in a gnarly mess of vine wood: Gris, Rose, Blanc, Vert at the very least. This is very Cape DNA.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘From a Franschhoek Semillon bushvine vineyard planted in 1936, mix of white/red-skinned fruit, bunch-pressed and co-fermented in old oak. Hence, 2015 shows more yellow- than red-gold, less overt tannin, but refrains from 2014’s earthy, bruised apple tones, freshness. Unfined, unfiltered: ‘Fear not the sediment’ say Alheits.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*
‘Previously known as Arrow Heart, this is an assemblage of Semillon with 15% Semillon Gris sourced from a single vineyard and fermented in old wood. It’s a classic, herbal expression of the varieties with dill and coriander notes, a touch of finty struck match and the structure to age. Paler and more focused than the 2014. Drink: 2016-22.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2016, 95/100
‘The 2015 La Colline Vineyard comes from vines planted back in 1936 on the southern slope in Franschhoek Valley. It offers enticing aromas of yellow plum, Jasmine, sea spray and a hint of custard cremes. The palate is very well balanced with nectarine and yellow plum, a fine line of acidity, very succinct and understated, but it comes armed with a long saline finish. Yet more enticing and cerebral fermented grape juice courtesy of Chris Alheit.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Apr 2017)
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