Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2017:
'From 2 Stellenbosch maritime chenin vineyards 30 & 40 years old. Much floral, white peach charm in 2017; youthful approachability in its ripe-fruited succulence, length, but doesn’t lack steely backbone necessary for interesting development.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)

'The 2017 Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc is similar to the Fire by Night Chenin Blanc of the same range but is a touch less giving. The wine has Asian pear, beeswax and yuzu peel aromas with a kiss of minerality. It's a solid wine that is clean, correct and precise. The wine is medium-bodied and has a balanced acidity that brightens the mid-palate and lingers on the medium lingering finish. 275 cases were made.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2019)

'Nautical Dawn is another new wine from Chris Alheit and, as its name suggests, hails from vineyards that are very close to False Bay. Planted in 1978 and 1988, the two sites are both on granite soils, and used to go into Cartology. Spry, refreshing and athletic, this is a taut, saline white with a hint of nectarine sweetness. 2019-26.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

'Grapes from a 1978 Helderberg vineyard and a 1988 Polkadraai vineyard both relatively close to False Bay. An exotic breakfast punch nose – guava, pear and peach in particular. Lots of sweet, bouncy fruit on the palate but there’s also snappy acidity before a suitably dry finish. Dead sexy. Alcohol: 13.47%.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

'The 2017 Nautical Dawn comes from two vineyards on pure granite soils overlooking False Bay, fermented and matured in neutral old barrels. It has a very "come hither" bouquet of yellow fruit, lemon thyme and hints of lemon curd, all exceptionally well defined. The expressive palate features orange pith, white peach and guava, and the acidity is very well judged with just the right amount of salinity toward the finish. What a superb debut!' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Aug 2018)

2018:
'Displaying with a pale straw color, the 2018 Nautical Dawn is immediately impressive with citrus blossom elements blown by sea spray, Meyer lemon pith, green apple skin and a significant mineral expression that makes this wine utterly electric in the glass. Medium-bodied but full in flavor, the wine bursts to life with zippy, energetic acidity that will allow this to age for more than a decade. Underneath the dusty citrus tones and soft salinity, flavors of lemon pastry cream wade across the palate, displaying masterful elegance and balance. The wine draws me back for more as the finish somersaults and evolves from more than a minute. This is serious winemaking at hand. Bravo! It is devastatingly gorgeous and food friendly.’ - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Feb 2021)

‘From False Bay side of Stellenbosch, granite soil, 1978 block produces ripest of the chenins, 2018 peaches, apricots & almonds plus gravelly texture & piquant aniseed twist. Endless finish, as racy acidity keeps it fresh & appetising throughout.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)

‘Nautical Dawn is a reference to the location of this Firgrove vineyard, very close to False Bay. Picked early, despite its maritime influence, it's grown on coastal granite and has a salty, almost seaweedy note, layers of beeswax, lanolin and baking yeast, subtle oak and vibrant acidity. 2021-28’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 96/100

‘The 2018 Nautical Dawn comes from Stellenbosch, around False Bay. It has a captivating bouquet of orange pith, mirabelle and light sea spray aromas that are clinically defined. The palate is beautifully balanced with a pithy nectarine and clementine opening, dovetailing into gorgeous mango and spicy notes toward the lively, quite penetrating finish. Stunning.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100 (Oct 2019)

‘Very clean-cut citrus aroma. Both mineral and saline, even a little smoky. On the palate, there’s stunning clementine freshness and a cool silky texture even though the aroma is chalky. Fluid and salty on the finish.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Sep 2019)