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Alheit Vineyards - Western Cape Cartology 2023

South Africa

White

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Drink or Keep

17++/20

Jancis Robinson

-

95/100

Vinous

South Africa
chenin
silky
juicy
filet mignon

"One of the most elegant bouquets to be found in a South African white of this vintage according to critic Vinous!"

"Cartology 2023 contains a little more Semillon in the blend this year. As usual, it's a blend of what he considers his best parcels. It has one of the most elegant bouquets to be found in a South African white of this vintage: yellow fruit, a hint of peach skin, lanolin and stiffly beaten egg whites. The delineation and purity are astounding. The palate is very well balanced, with a lively, taut opening. The acidity of this wine is formidable, it's full of tension and complexity and ends with a mineral finish with a slightly waxy/resinous texture. Very long. Very elegant. 2025-2040" (Vinous 2024)

Features

Estate

Alheit Vineyards

Cuvée

Cartology

Vintage

2023

Designation

Western Cape

Region

South Africa

Grape varieties

94% Chenin blanc, 6% Sémillon

Terroirs

Soils of decomposed granite, Chenin from the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Perdeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg vineyards, and Semillon from the Franchhoek vineyard, vines ranging from 35 to 82 years old, altitude from 60 to 760 meters depending on the vineyard, rainy climate.

Viticulture

Reasoned

Harvest

Manual

Winemaking

Whole-bunch pressing, fermentation in oak tuns, amphorae and ovoid vats

Breeding

12 months on lees (same wooden containers as during fermentation), then 5 months in vats on fine lees, unfined and unfiltered.

Alcohol content

13,1%

Tasting & pairing

Eye

Straw yellow, golden highlights, shiny disk

Nose

Fresh, vibrant scents of ripe pear, citrus zest, honeysuckle and seductive, herbaceous nuances.

Mouth

Remarkable balance between rich aromas and crystalline freshness, silky texture, long, elegant finish with saline tension.

Serve

AT 10-12°C

Open

1 hour before

Drink from

2024

Drink before

2040

Food and wine pairing

Food and wine pairing

Enjoy with pork filet mignon, baked turbot with muscadet sauce, sautéed poultry...

Alheit Vineyards

More information on Alheit Vineyards

Western Cape

More information on Western Cape

Expert opinion

Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator

Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Spectator)

Jancis Robinson

Jancis Robinson

Wine rated (guide 2024) 17++/20

About the wine:

Tense nose. It smells of waiting, expectation, the pause before the storm. Tangerine. Pineapple peel. Pomelo. There's a moment, mid-palate, when the flavors also pause, curling in on themselves as if trying to contain their energy. A wine that seems in no hurry to spread its wings, though you can see them, undulating with an undercurrent of power. An aggregate of tiny snapshots of gold and green, filling the corners with nervous energy. Keep it for a while if you can: it needs all the time you can give it. 2027-2032

Vinous A. Galloni

Vinous A. Galloni

Wine rated (guide 2024) 95/100

About the wine:

Cartology 2023 contains a little more Semillon in the blend this year. As usual, it's a blend of what he considers his best parcels. It has one of the most elegant bouquets to be found in a South African white of this vintage: yellow fruit, a hint of peach skin, lanolin and stiffly beaten egg whites. The delineation and purity are astounding. The palate is very well balanced, with a lively, taut opening. The acidity of this wine is formidable, it's full of tension and complexity and ends with a mineral finish with a slightly waxy/resinous texture. Very long. Very elegant. 2025-2040

Tim Atkin

Tim Atkin

Graded area (2020 guide) Recommended

Customer reviews

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