Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2015:
'From old, ungrafted (’makstok’) Citrusdal Mountain chenin. 2015 more austere & spare than Lazarus, with waves of savoury acidity, stony grip subduing lemony minerality. No easy-sipper, nor even food partner yet; it needs/deserves time to settle, yield its depths.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

'(13.5% alcohol; from old, ungrafted vines): Restrained aromas of citrus fruits and flowers, plus a whiff of crushed stone. Offers noteworthy texture and sweetness in a still-reserved package. There's minerality here and a positive dryness to the wine's stone fruit and citrus flavors. The firm, spicy finish is not at all harsh. Quite strong on the back end. I suspect this will blossom in bottle.' - Stephan Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2017)

'Chris Alheit had just driven from the vineyards in the namesake iron-rich vineyard when I tasted the 2015 Magnetic North Mountain Makstok. It has a subtle bouquet with Jasmine, Mirabelle, yellow plum and linseed aromas that gather momentum in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with light lemon peel and hazelnut notes. This is a minimalist Magnetic North, tensile and focused, again more about the texture than over flavors, stem ginger tingling on the saline aftertaste. It is one of those enigmatic wines that poses more questions and answers, but occasionally that's just what you seek from a wine.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Apr 2017)

'This wine is currently a baby, wanting more time to completely form and express itself with full potential. The nose is shy at first, needing some airing to coax out notes of singed fynbos, greengage and white melon rind. The palate offers a bit more fruit expression, as waves of citrus peel, Asian pear and dried apple skin are framed by a chalky minerality and just a hint of nutty stone-fruit pit. A sea-breeze salinity graces the driven, precise finish. Drink 2020–2028.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Apr 2018)

2016:
‘Intense fruity nose with a hint of something metal? Huge wine but by no means fat. Very intense concentration though not alcohol. Sit up and beg! If this were a dog, you certainly couldn’t ignore it. I think ideally you might wait for it to settle down a bit and develop some subtlety.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct2017)

'It was so dry, but we’ve ended up with this,” says Chris Alheit, talking of this remarkable Chenin from blocks 10 and 13 of Basi van Lill’s West Coast farm. Aged in older wood, it’s very high in acidity and minerality, with aromas of white flowers segueing into a chiselled, appley, stony palate with leesy complexity and an undertone of oak. Drink 2018-26' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2017, 97 Points

'Another hit from Chris and Suzann Alheit. Two adjacent parcels of ungrafted Chenin vines: delicate pear and white blossom yet great persistence. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026' - Decanter Magazine 2017, 96 Points

'A place that inspires foolishness and wonder" admit the Alheits of this ungrafted Citrusdal Mountain vineyard. 2016 rewards their folly with uncompromising lemony freshness, resonating pebbly intensity. A Chenin of awe-inspiring individuality, worthy of ripe old age' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5*

2017:
'The wonderful Basie van Lill grows the grapes that go into this stunning, dry-farmed Chenin on its own roots. There are only 2,000 bottles of this world-class wine, so employ a private detective to track down a bottle or two if you have to. Complex, layered and refined with spice and honeysuckle aromas, laser-like focus and subtle wood. 2020-28 '- Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 99/100

'Previously with ‘Mountain Makstok’ suffix. No change in quality of this extraordinary Citrusdal Mountain chenin. 2017 exudes lemon peel, pebbly intensity. Ripe flavours, full body contained by bracing acidity; uncompromisingly dry. Fermented, aged in old 300L oak.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

'Grapes from Basie van Lill’s Skurfberg farm. A haunting nose: First a hint of gun-smoke-like reduction before elusive notes of citrus, peach and fynbos. Rich and thick textured but not unctuous – there’s an acidity here that would be neck snapping if it weren’t for all the fruit concentration. This is a power-packed wine which also manages to be extraordinarily detailed. Think of Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira with ball under arm when drinking it. Alcohol: 14%.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100

'The 2017 Magnetic North comes from ungrafted Chenin Blanc planted on red sand over red clay, matured in neutral 300-liter barrels that are 10 years old. It has a very expressive bouquet of lemon thyme, sage, broom, ground stone and just a touch of mint, all very focused and well defined. The palate is full of tension from the start and quite saline in the mouth, offering orange pith, dried mango, white pepper and a slightly ferrous note toward the finish. This feels long in the mouth, although I would be inclined to see it age in bottle for two or three years.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Aug 2018)

'The 2017 Magnetic North Mountain Makstok pops with power and restraint, finesse and texture. Many can learn from what Alheit is doing (and achieving) with Chenin. The nose translates onto the palate, where all of the classic orchard fruit and bright citrus tones mingle with soft waxy melons and dusty florals. There is a soft nuttiness that is pleasing on the finish. While not as generous as the Cartology or Radio Lazarus, the Magnetic North is sure to grab your attention with its medium to full body and long finish. Only 205 cases made.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100