Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - White Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage White Wine Session features the noble variety, Chenin Blanc, known for its versatility and fruit intensity. South Africa has the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world and produces long-aging, diverse and fine wines.
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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.
Cartology is one of the most recognisable Cape white blends today.
Cartology (meaning the study of maps) is a vinous exploration of Cape heritage. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape, seen through the lens of her old vineyards, in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines, of heritage grapes, namely Chenin blanc and Semillon. These grapes have been planted in the Cape for centuries. As a rule, the Cartology parcels are dry farmed bushvines, with a minimum age of thirty years, altough most are between forty and fifty years old. Cartology has become the staple offering. It serves as a poster child for the Alheit Vineyards project, and also seems to have become a flag bearer for Cape Heritage wine in general.
Winemakers personal tasting note:
'The nose is a complex, almost aggressive, showing ripe stone fruits and quince, punctuated by high notes of limey citrus and honey. The palate shows ample power, without excess weight. It has a fine form; seamless from the formidable attack, through mineral laden somewhat “nervous” mid palate. Persistent finish, final impression is refreshing and moreish' - Chris Alheit
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Our unofficial Newcomer of the Year, 2011 special and exciting in every way: provenance of old Chenin bushvines with a dash of Semillon from five far-flung sites. Natural older-barrel ferment, stylish extrinsics (wax-sealed bottle, thoughtful website); oxidative melt-in-mouth opulence. Place your order today!' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 5*
‘Really want the Cape to be seen in a new light”, says Chris Alheit, who worked in Napa, Western Australia, Bordeaux and the Mosel before returning to South Africa to concentrate on old vine whites, such as this remarkable Chenin/Semillon blend, sourced from vineyards across the winelands. It’s a little like a white Rhone blend, but with a character all of its own. Subtle oak, a touch of oatmeal, fresh acidity, some honey and pear, and mouth-filling concentration. Overall White Wine of the Year.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2013, 97/100
‘The maiden 2011 Cartology Bush Vines is a blend of 92% Chenin Blanc and 8% Semillon from vines between 320m and 540m in altitude from Perdeberg, Citrusdal Mountains, Kasteelberg and Bottelary Hills, while the Semillon is from Franschhoek. It has a heavenly bouquet that blossoms from first opening: quince, wild honey, melted candle wax, a touch of almond developing with time and lemon curd. It offers brilliant delineation and gains complexity with time in the glass. The palate is succinctly balanced, fresh as a daisy, brimming with energy from its potent attack to its perfectly focused, mineral-laden finish.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Dec 2012)
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