Alheit Vineyards 'Hereafter Here' Chenin Blanc 2021

UK importer and world-renowned authority on South African wine, Richard Kelley MW is perennially campaigning that Chenin Blanc is the world's greatest grape. When he brings us samples of newly released wines by Chris Alheit, we're always inclined to agree that the variety is magical, in the right hands...

This is young vine Chenin (the wine's first vintage released), with verve and precision. Pure and fresh but with texture from 18 months spent in old wood and malolactic fermentation. White blossom, white peach and lemon on the nose and a beautiful, salty acid spine perpetuates the finish for an eternity. An absolutely brilliant first outing for this wine which serves as a brilliant 'drink now' bottle whilst you're waiting for their uber premium single vineyard bottling's to age appropriately.

Press review:

Tim Atkin MW: “Hereafter Here is a new wine from Chris Alheit, made with two young vine parcels in the Polkadraai Hills and the Blaauwklippen Road areas. Crystalline, pure and bright with subtle old wood, lemon zest and white flower notes and a racy, saline finish. Drink now-2026.” 93 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.