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.
Magnetic North is a single origin Chenin Blanc wine. Since it’s maiden vintage in 2013, this wine has become a perennial star in our line-up. Every vintage, it manages to combine power and finesse in a way very few other Chenin vineyards from anywhere (not just the Cape) are able to do. From the legendary ‘Skurfberg’ area, South Africa’s ‘grand cru’ site for Chenin Blanc. These vineyards are in the Citrusdal Mountain ward, situtated in the mountain wilderness of the West Coast.
The vineyard lies a few degrees off true north from the cellar, roughly on magnetic North. The name implies distance and exploration. It implies a true course of action or movement. It implies an attractive force causing them to drive miles and miles for there vines. There is plenty of iron in the soil, which is a magnetic element, so that fit nicely too. In physical reality, Magnetic North is always moving, it never remains in the same place, so there is the added implication of a mysterious unattainable target.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'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 (Oct 2019)
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