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.
Nautical Dawn is a single origin Chenin blanc wine. Since it’s maiden vintage in 2017 it has helped to showcase the raw talent of the False Bay coast of Stellenbosch - a vital part of the Cape Chenin story. The wine has quite an extreme nature and a strong personality. Even with early picking this vineyard delivers huge flavour with intense concentration and ripping natural acid.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Savoury mineral notes showing strongly on 2019, from ocean-facing chenin vines in Stellenbosch. Chalky citrus, aniseed, hint of honey & thrilling acidity throughout, leading to creamy almond paste aftertaste. Combo barrels & foudres. Yet more exciting & appetising than 2018 (4.5 stars, 94 pts).’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (96/100)
‘The 2019 Nautical Dawn is hand-sorted, whole-bunch-pressed and matured in a 2,000-liter foudre and used barrels. It has a slightly richer bouquet than the Broom Ridge tasted alongside, touches of wild fennel and mint infusing the light honeyed scents, and yellow flowers emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and poised, with a zesty opening and fine acidity, although I find the finish just a little too neutral. Speak up, boy!’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Apr 2021)
‘Nautical Dawn is a stunning Chenin Blanc from the Rustenhof farm, planted in 1978 and situated just four kilometres from the waves of False Bay. Fresh, tangy and appropriately salty, with some granitic grip, the understated oak that's a feature of Chris Alheit's winemaking, leesy nuances and the graceful concentration of old vines. 2022-29’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 97/100
‘From a 1978 vineyard on the Sinai Hill in the Firgrove area of Stellenbosch. A pretty nose of flowers, talcum powder, white peach and citrus. The palate has great fruit definition and crisp acidity before a slightly bitter finish. This has a lovely clarity about it – pure, balanced and wonderfully sleek.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Jul 2020)
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