Alheit Vineyards - Olifants River Huilkrans 2023
South Africa
White
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
18/20
Jancis Robinson
-
93/100
Vinous
"The excellence of Domaine Alheit's old vines: with striking depth and complexity, discover the 2023 vintage of the range!"
"On the nose, Huilkrans is unexpectedly sweet, almost misty. It smells faintly of petrichor, the sweetness of white melon and custard apple. The tension on the palate rises so imperceptibly that by the time you realize it, it has the power of a storm. A gust of citrus and rock salt. It recalls the Japanese word "kogarashi": a cold wind that signifies the arrival of winter, symbolizes the passage from one state to another and is accompanied by its own perfume, the essence of winter. Then the gust passes and, in the tranquil pool left behind, you can taste melon skin and grilled lime peel, choisya flowers and fennel seeds. You really get the impression that this wine has a story to tell. 2026-2035" (Jancis Robinson 2024)
Features
Estate
Alheit Vineyards
Cuvée
Huilkrans
Vintage
2023
Designation
Citrusdal Mountains
Region
South Africa
Grape varieties
100% Chenin Blanc
Terroirs
Red clay soil, sandy layer, old vines: planted between 1974 and 1989, Oudam Farm and Skurfberg vineyards (Olifants River region), 450 meters altitude, warm Mediterranean climate
Viticulture
Reasoned
Harvest
Manual
Winemaking
Whole-cluster pressing, fermentation in foudres and old barrels, unfined, unfiltered wine.
Breeding
12 months on lees (same containers as during fermentation), refined for a further 6 months in vats on fine lees.
Alcohol content
13,3%
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Straw yellow color, golden highlights on the disk
Nose
Intense and seductive: elegant bouquet of citrus juice and orange blossom, complexified by subtle notes of saline spices.
Mouth
Full, fresh structure, combining power and balance, flavours echoing the nose, greedy, offering a long, vibrant finish, pure and strikingly complex.
Serve
AT 10-12°C
Open
1 to 2 hours before
Drink from
2024
Drink before
2035
Production
4,800 bottles
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with sweetbreads with morel mushrooms, filet mignon with honey, tomato chutney...
Alheit Vineyards
Olifants River
Expert opinion
Wine Spectator
Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Spectator)
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (guide 2024 ) 18/20
About the wine:
On the nose, Huilkrans is unexpectedly sweet, almost misty. It smells faintly of petrichor, the sweetness of white melon and custard apple. The tension on the palate rises so imperceptibly that by the time you realize it, it has the power of a storm. A gust of citrus and rock salt. It recalls the Japanese word "kogarashi": a cold wind that signifies the arrival of winter, symbolizes the passage from one state to another and is accompanied by its own perfume, the essence of winter. Then the gust passes and, in the tranquil pool left behind, you can taste melon skin and grilled lime peel, choisya flowers and fennel seeds. You really get the impression that this wine has a story to tell. 2026-2035
Vinous A. Galloni
Wine rated (guide 2024) 93/100
About the wine:
Huilkrans 2023 is made from dry-farmed Chenin Blanc grown in the Citrusdal mountains. The bouquet is very stony, perhaps the most austere of Alheit's cuvées this year. Its style is very minimalist. The palate is taut and fresh, revealing orange pith and a touch of mango. Harmonious and soft, with a hint of white pepper on the finish. Very fine, but distant. 2025-2035
Tim Atkin
Graded area (2020 guide) Recommended
Customer reviews
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