Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

Cartology 2017 - 'Chris Alheit’s “vinous exploration of Cape heritage” continues to delight. Now in its seventh vintage, it’s a cuvée of Chenin and 11% Semillon sourced from ten sites. Waxy, spicy and complete, it has leesy intensity, notes of hay and aromatic herbs and tangy, green apple acidity. 2019-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

87% Chenin Blanc, 13% Semillon. A complex and subtle nose of pear, peach, apple, even some blackcurrant plus herbs and a little wet wool. Pure and fresh – hangs together really well – the finish long and dry. This is perhaps not as thrilling as Alheit’s single-vineyard bottlings but it does have a completeness about it. Drawn from vineyards across the Western Cape, this is, as always, a subtle and intellectually demanding wine. Alcohol: 13.5%.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

'The 2017 Cartology comes from old bush vines, saw no SO2 addition during ferment and, after a rough settling, was matured in used barrels. It has a very attractive bouquet of dried honey, orange blossom and beeswax, very well defined and gaining intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with a gorgeous tangy, marmalade-tinged opening. The acidity is extremely well judged (as it nearly always is) and a touch of stem ginger and rhubarb emerges toward the poised, energetic finish. Excellent.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2018)

The 2017 Cartology Bush Vines represents all that is good about Chenin Blanc from South Africa. With so many different styles existing in South Africa today, the Catrology has a focused and refined nose with a weight on the mid-palate that can be felt by the drinker. This wine is both precise and elegant. Just by feeling the wine on the palate, you begin to sense the love and attention this wine received during its élevage. Muskmelon, creamy peach yogurt and Meyer lemon glide over the palate and will make you do a double take. Sensations of light beeswax and dusty citrus blossoms follow the fruit onto the finish. The wine is full-bodied with a full-structured finish that lingers long. This is going into my cellar, and I recommend that you grab a bottle for yourself. 1,400 cases were made. - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Oct 2019)

Hemelrand Vine Garden 2017 - ‘Sophisticated 2017 near-equal Chenin, Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Verdelho with subtle 4% Muscat de Frontignan; from mixed Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge vineyard. Seductively silky; plenty of underlying energy to focus floral and stonefruit. Whole greater than sum of parts.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

‘This wine comes from the young vineyard planted on Hemelrand farm in 2010 at 360 m above sea level on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. This is a slow-ripening site, resulting in full flavour and high acidity. Complex stone fruit and pear aromas, gently floral, with spice and savoury white-Rhône notes. Smells fat and rich and is really rich and massive on the palate.’ - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jul 2018)

‘Hemelrand, which surrounds Chris Alheit’s cellar on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, is a field blend, planted as recently as 2010 with Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdleho, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Muscat. This is wonderfully fragrant and exotic, all musk, lemongrass and passion fruit with a brisk, tangy finish. 2019-23.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2018, 92/100

Magnetic North 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

Huilkrans 2017 - 'Every so often you come across a wine in its first vintage that’s simply, incontrovertibly worldclass. This is one of them. Made with Chenin from three blocks (7, 12 and 13) from Joshua Visser’s Oudam farm on the Skurfberg. Dense, rich and ferrous with salty freshness, coiled power and the sense that you are tasting a landscape, not just a wine. Incredibly long and satisfying. 2020-27.'- Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 97/100

'Citrusdal Mountain’s Skurfberg vineyard responsible for some of SA’s most renowned chenins; this majestic 2017 joins them. Power, richness, with resonating length to its bracing finish. A grand wine, deserving time & contemplation. Spontaneous ferment, older oak. Unfined, unfiltered, as all.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)

'Grapes from the Skurfberg farm called Oudam owned by the Visser family. A captivating nose of hay, pear, peach, citrus and apple plus earth and a little leesy complexity. Extraordinary fruit concentration making for a palate that’s rich but perfectly balanced and absolutely flavour packed. Lovely proportions, plenty of detail, the finish extremely long. Neat and tidy, which is to say so very well judged when it comes to the winemaking, but there’s also no denying that there’s a very special site involved making for something utterly distinctive. Alcohol: 14.24%' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 98'/100

'The 2017 Hulkrains ("crying cliff") is named after a cliff close to the vineyard that is said to weep when it rains. Hitherto it was blended into the Cartology. The vines were planted on 1976 on red sand soils located at 450 meters above sea level. The wine has a wonderful, pure bouquet of dried honey, orange blossom, broom and just a hint of wild fennel, all detailed and expressive of their place of origin, as depicted on the label. The palate is very well balanced with touches of honeysuckle on the entry and a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth, showing a touch of lemongrass toward the persistent finish. Outstanding.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2018)

'The 2017 Hulikrans is a bit more on the steely and acidic side. The mouthfeel is lifted and punchier on the mid-palate. It reminds me of the classic Loire "acid slam" that you get from warmer vintage Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. The lemon-focused, white flower nose and palate are classic descriptors for Chenin, with the soft phenolic bitterness that one would expect. This wine has some of the textural complexities that make the mouthfeel interesting for me. Medium-bodied, the wine ends with a medium finish. These grapes come from the Odam farm in Skurberg, from dry-farmed bush vines with low yields. Only 280 cases made.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Oct 2019)

Nautical Dawn 2017 - '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

'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)

'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)

'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)

Fire by Night 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)

'The 2017 Fire By Night Chenin Blanc begins with a subtle yet structured nose of faint peanut shells, nutty lemon and citrus blossoms. The wine has a textural weight across the mid-palate, revealing some waxiness and a fresh and zippy acid backbone. The finish has some grippy phenolics with a slight bitterness. The wine is medium-bodied and did not see any new oak. Only 280 cases were produced.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2019)

Radio Lazarus 2017 - 'Swansong for this label: old Bottelary vines no longer viable. 2017 great aromatic breadth but also mineral tension, vigour in its concentrated, reverberating flavours. Lovely textural quality from ferment/ageing in 100% (Bottelary) clay pots.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

‘Get out your handkerchiefs, as they say in France, because 2017 may be the last ever vintage of this incredible wine after the extreme drought of 2018. If so, it’s a good note on which to end. Dense, compact and super concentrated, with stony grip and the acidity of a late-picked site, complemented by aromas from the wild fynbos that surrounds it. RIP, Radio Lazarus. 2020-29.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2018, 96/100

‘The terroir in the Alheit wines shows through with the 2017 Radio Lazarus. Beyond the classic Chenin Blanc expressions of yellow apple, Meyer lemon and lanolin, there is a cheese rind aspect that lingers on the palate. The depth and breadth are evident once the wine hits the palate. Alheit knows exactly what they are doing with these wines, which turn out as focused Chenin with precision and minerality. The fruit is woven into a textural sensation that lifts the dusty white minerality, which may have been lent from the clay pots the wine was aged in. No oak was used for this wine. In short, this is a cerebral, medium-bodied wine that has texture and a lively tension, ending with a long mineral-driven finish. Only 165 cases were made, and it's worth the money.’ - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 93+/100 (Oct 2019)

La Colline Vineyard 2017 - 'Wonderfully expressive of 80+ year Franschhoek Semillon vineyard. 2017 shows exuberant, ripely scented lemon rind and spices. The wine’s richness and full body is invigorated by sheer concentration of flavour, firm dry finish. Excellent potential. Fermented/aged in ‘youngest’ old oak (4-5 years) ”as it needs to breathe”.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

‘Chris Alheit is one of a small and privileged group who buy fruit from Anton Roux’s 1936 vineyard on the southern side of Dassenberg. Dense and richly coloured, it has yeasty, savoury, choux pastry and jasmine notes and a broad, skilfully oaked finish. 2020-27.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2018, 94/100