The Wines of Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 8 May 2023
Session 1
About the SessionThe Loire Valley is a large region that follows the longest river of France. The Loire is an exceptional place to find lean, racy, white wines, including those of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet. Red varieties include Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Cot (Malbec), which produces herbaceous, rustic reds.
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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.
The lot consists of 1 bottle of each Alheit Vineyards Fire By Night 2017 & 2018.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
2017:
'Described by Chris Alheit as his “ode to the Paardeberg” mountain, this new wine comes from three bush vine parcels on Christa von La Chevallerie’s farm. It’s light and refreshing, despite the underlying concentration and full malolactic with a thread of vivid acidity and fine minerality. 2019-25.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100
'From three parcels on Christa von La Chevallerie’s Paardeberg farm planted between 1974 and 1980. Arresting aromatics of flowers, dried herbs, peach and apple. Beautifully pure fruit plus plenty of zip – bright but not aggressive acidity. The finish, meanwhile, is long and saline. A wine that’s all about about clarity.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
'The 2017 Fire By Night (a biblical phrase referring to the Israelites) comes from pure bush vine Chenin Blanc, from two parcels planted in 1974 and 1980. It is fermented and matured in used neutral barrels. The complex, lucid, attractive bouquet features white peach, clementine, rooibos and hints of chamomile. The pure, nicely focused palate is very well balanced, and hints of orange peel, ginger and chai appear toward the persistent finish. Superb.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2018)
2018:
'Fire by Night comes from a farm that Chris Alheit acquired in August 2019, which secures the source of this impressive Chenin. Made with fruit from a cooler, morning sun-facing parcel, it shows the taut, almost austere minerality that's a feature of the Nuwedam farm, layers of spice, lees and subtle oak and lovely precision. 2021-30.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 94/100
'Chiseled and energetic, this Chenin shows melon, yellow apple and mirabelle plum flavors of great intensity, underscored by mouthwatering acidity. Hints of juniper and sea salt add a savory, fresh component, which extends on the finish. Beautifully put together, with a gorgeous mouthfeel. Best from 2022 through 2032.' - Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Nov 2020)
'A little less open than the Cartology. Some lime fruit and crunchy green apple, tangerine as it opens. A gentle oak mealiness on the palate and fabulous fruit purity with a dry finesse that seems to be the granite effect. Utterly mouth-watering without being tart. Very persistent.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Sep 2019)
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