Alheit Vineyards - Swartland Fire by Night 2023
South Africa
White
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
97/100
Vinous
-
17,5++/20
Jancis Robinson
"A stunning Fire By Night according to Vinous, discover the new vintage in very limited quantities!"
"The 2023 Fire by Night, from dry-grown bush vines planted between 1971 and 1985 on Alheit's farm in the Paardeberg, Swartland, was whole-cluster pressed and settled overnight. It was aged for 12 months, half in cement eggs and half in foudres. This wine has a stunning mineral bouquet, with hints of gunflint and a touch of reduction. Captivating! Well-balanced on the palate, with taut acidity. Sappy on the palate and judiciously spiced with lemongrass and ginger, it blossoms beautifully on the finish. This is a stunning Fire By Night. 2025-2042" (Vinous 2024)
Features
Estate
Alheit Vineyards
Cuvée
Fire by Night
Vintage
2023
Designation
Swartland
Region
South Africa
Grape varieties
100% Chenin Blanc
Terroirs
Decomposed granite soil, vines planted between 1972 and 1985, Nuwedam and Paardeberg vineyards, altitude between 300 and 350 metres, warm Mediterranean climate.
Viticulture
Reasoned
Harvest
Manual
Winemaking
Whole bunches pressed, fermented in neutral barrels and ovoid cement vats for 1 month.
Breeding
12 months on lees (same wooden containers as during fermentation), then 6 months in vats on fine lees, unfined and unfiltered.
Alcohol content
12,5%
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Straw color, golden highlights, shiny disk
Nose
Delightful scents of green citrus, thatch and freshly cut grass, invigorating nuances of slightly stony, mineral reduction.
Mouth
Pure and precise, vibrant and energetic balance, fine, mineral structure, extending into a long, incisive finish marked by refreshing acidity.
Serve
AT 10-12°C
Open
1 to 2 hours before
Drink from
2024
Drink before
2042
Production
5,996 bottles
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with whole turbot grilled Basque-style, maple-glazed pork tenderloin, rabbit leg with mustard...
Alheit Vineyards
Swartland
Expert opinion
Wine Spectator
Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (wine producer recommended by Wine Spectator)
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (guide 2024) 17,5++/20
About the wine:
Smoke and philadelphus flowers. Flowers and flint. Furrows and lime. Lime and tamarind. A wine that seems to sing its own melody. A wine that tastes of borders, places and lines where things pass from one to another, where things are held back or set free. A wine in which acidity spreads over everything like moonlight, filling spaces with a magical shimmer. 2027-2035
Vinous A. Galloni
Wine rated (guide 2024) 97/100
About the wine:
The 2023 Fire by Night, from dry-farmed bush vines planted between 1971 and 1985 on Alheit's Paardeberg farm in Swartland, was whole-cluster pressed and settled overnight. It was aged for 12 months, half in cement eggs and half in foudres. This wine has a stunning mineral bouquet, with hints of gunflint and a touch of reduction. Captivating! Well-balanced on the palate, with taut acidity. Sappy on the palate and judiciously spiced with lemongrass and ginger, it blossoms beautifully on the finish. This is a stunning Fire By Night. 2025-2042
Tim Atkin
Graded area (2020 guide) Recommended
Customer reviews
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