Alheit Vineyards - Western Cape Huilkrans 2022

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Displaying a delicious rusticity in the glass, Huilkrans 2022 offers notes of dusty lemon peel and ripe citrus blossom, before wrapping itself in aromas of petrichor and spicy peach skin. Medium-bodied, the wine opens up on the palate, revealing seductive flavors of spicy white tea with pleasantly dusty, savory notes. Just under 4,000 bottles were produced after resting in a mix of foudre and old casks. 2024-2040

Wine Spectator

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Huilkrans 2022, a chenin blanc from the Citrusdal Mountains, is the first release since 2019. The nose is very tight, delineated with hints of sea spray, perhaps less expressive than I would have liked. For now, it's closed, but the bottle's age will benefit this cuvée. The palate is much more talkative, with a lovely waxy texture and hints of ginger and lemon zest, which extend nicely towards the finish. Great potential, provided you're patient. 2027-2040

James Suckling

About the wine:

Nose of pomelo and lime blossom, but also wild rice, almonds and apricots. Waxy, creamy and elegant, with medium body and lively, zesty freshness, even in a hot vintage. Vibrant and very, very lively. Drink or cellar.

Tim Atkin

About the wine:

Magnetic North wasn't released in 2022 (Chris Alheit, ever the perfectionist, felt it wasn't good enough), so fans of his Citrusdal Mountain will have to make do with this stunning wine from Jozua Visser's neighboring estate. Selection was rigorous, yields were correspondingly low, but the sacrifice was worth it. After two failures in 2020 and 2021, this wine is a triumph over the elements by a world-class winemaker, with the density and understated power of a Corton-Charlemagne (Burgundy appellation). Complex, layered and deep, it has lemony intensity, flavors of garrigue, citrus, yellow apple and rooibos, and a long, tapering finish.