Alheit Vineyards
About Alheit Vineyards
Alheit Vineyards is most uncommon for a new producer to achieve the desirable epithet of “cult” status so quickly, but Chris and Suzaan Alheit’s first vintage of Cartology brought an almost hysterical level of interest from the fine wine world - not a sphere prone to hyperbole!
Neal Martin (Vinous) was, and continues to be, just about as ardent an advocate for the Western Cape winery as one could imagine:
“So, you want a headline "a snappy eye-catching shelf-talker"? Here’s one. “Chris and Suzaan Alheit have made South Africa’s greatest debut Chenin Blanc.” Having chanced upon his wine in Cape Town, I met the very jet-lagged winemaker who had just landed at Heathrow. Despite his understandable lethargy, his unbridled passion came through, a man determined to seek out the best sites for Chenin Blanc and create a world-class wine. Having cut his teeth in the Mosel, Saint Emilion (at Chateau Angelus) and Napa Valley, Chris is obviously not hidebound by tradition, abiding by his own beliefs: low yields, old vines (though not necessarily the oldest), minimal use of sulphur and ageing in used oak between 4 and 12 years. He told me of his plans to seek out single vineyard sites and create a Burgundy-like portfolio of “Village” and “Premier Crus.” I have no doubt that he will succeed, although my mind boggles if this is the ethereal quality of his “Village Cru” - Neal Martin (Vinous)
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Inc. VAT£355.24
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Vinous (93)
The 2018 Cartology, a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sémillon this year, is whole-cluster-pressed with no SO2 addition, and matured in used oak. It has a well defined, pure bouquet of dried honey, yellow flower, honeysuckle and lanolin aromas that instantly seduce the senses. The palate is beautifully balanced with a slightly oily-textured opening, the intensity deftly counterbalanced by the fine bead of acidity, and a discreet spiciness toward the finish. This is very harmonious and persistent, an effortless Cartology that should age with style. Superb.Inc. VAT£278.44 -
Vinous (90)
From vines planted in 2010, the 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden was matured in old neutral barrels and cement egg. It has a clean, pure bouquet of lemon curd, albumen and light yellow flowers. The palate is well balanced, with a taut line of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth. The sharp, slightly flinty finish oddly reminds me of a mature Chablis. Very fine.Inc. VAT£307.24 -
Vinous (93)
The 2018 Hemelrand Vine Garden is whole-cluster-pressed and matured in oak and foudres. It has a very seductive bouquet of honeysuckle, passion fruit and hints of beeswax that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a saline opening, plus a fine bead of acidity. There is a light saline lick toward the finish that becomes nuttier with aeration, although this does not quite deliver the complexity of Alheit’s best Chenin Blancs. Still, it is a lovely white blend that should age with style.Inc. VAT£169.24
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In Bond£280.00
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Vinous (93)
The 2018 Cartology, a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sémillon this year, is whole-cluster-pressed with no SO2 addition, and matured in used oak. It has a well defined, pure bouquet of dried honey, yellow flower, honeysuckle and lanolin aromas that instantly seduce the senses. The palate is beautifully balanced with a slightly oily-textured opening, the intensity deftly counterbalanced by the fine bead of acidity, and a discreet spiciness toward the finish. This is very harmonious and persistent, an effortless Cartology that should age with style. Superb.In Bond£216.00 -
Vinous (90)
From vines planted in 2010, the 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden was matured in old neutral barrels and cement egg. It has a clean, pure bouquet of lemon curd, albumen and light yellow flowers. The palate is well balanced, with a taut line of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth. The sharp, slightly flinty finish oddly reminds me of a mature Chablis. Very fine.In Bond£240.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2018 Hemelrand Vine Garden is whole-cluster-pressed and matured in oak and foudres. It has a very seductive bouquet of honeysuckle, passion fruit and hints of beeswax that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a saline opening, plus a fine bead of acidity. There is a light saline lick toward the finish that becomes nuttier with aeration, although this does not quite deliver the complexity of Alheit’s best Chenin Blancs. Still, it is a lovely white blend that should age with style.In Bond£125.00