Alheit Vineyards 'Cartology' 2021

Tasting Cartology, the much sought-after flagship wine of Alheit, is always a privilege. Described by the team as a vinous exploration of Cape heritage. The wine is composed of Chenin Blanc (90%) and Semillon (10%) from rare and old vineyards across the Cape. The wine is infatuating. Beautiful ripe fruits, a little racy citrus, pith and a lovely, savoury white pepperiness. The palate is so defined and pure with delicious fruit character and intensity, but no fat is carried here. A beautifully fresh saline spine carries the finish for quite some time. Drinking very well now with the capacity to age for 15/20 years yet.

Press Review:

Greg Sherwood MW: "A blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Semillon from circa nine dryland bush vine parcels around the Cape with a minimum age of 35 years but with most between 40 to 80 years old. The entry shows a massive vibrant concentration of white citrus, peach and tangerine with complexing notes of wet thatch, fynbos and struck flint reduction. The palate is rich and textured, plush and fleshy, showing the true class and pedigree of the 2021 vintage. This must be among the finest Cartology releases produced to date. Do not miss it!" 96 points

It's very rare for new producers to achieve critical acclaim and cult status as immediately as Chris Alheit - now a producer that, if you are a fan of wines of the Western Cape, you simply have to know. 

Alheit Vineyard declares its aim as being ‘to vinify extraordinary Cape vineyards’. The fact that Chris and Suzaan Alheit set out on their venture to make only white wine, is a testament to their commitment to seek out some of the oldest vineyard blocks in the country. Using the knowledge and contacts of leading viticulturist, Rosa Kruger, within two short years, Alheit Vineyards established itself as the most talked about winery in the Cape, with its limited releases being highly sought-after, globally.

Winery space is rented in shed, originally conceived as an olive oil production facility, on the Hemel-en-Aarde road out of Hermanus. Probably as far away as one could expect to be from their primary grape sources on the West Coast.