The annual visit and trek out to Hermanus every year to go and taste with Chris is one of the highlights of the annual release season. The wines are brilliant, as always, but there is more excitement from Chris re the 2023’s, especially the Swartland wines. The wines are more structured than 2022, less approachable and will be good to cellar for 3 – 5 years.
The Hereafter Here 2023, has some old vine fruit included this year, more savoury and structured. It is best to give it a year to settle. Also, this year sees the return of the Magnetic North for the first time since 2020, it is a wonderful wine with loads of power and typical high quality. The Cartology 2023 shines with the additional high quality La Colline Semillon and a higher portion of Nautical Dawn fruit in the blend this year.
Due to rain and disease pressure, Nautical Dawn was drastically reduced in 2023 to ensure that the bottled wine was of the highest quality. It is full fruited with yellow peach, fine acidity and good length. From Chris and Suzaan’s farm in the Swartland comes the Fire by Night; the 2023 is linear, visceral and has a driving backbone of acidity that impresses with it long, long finish. It is reminiscent of 2019 Broom Ridge release. Almost Burgundian like!
Huilkrans 2023 is worthy of its standing as one of the greats! And finally, the Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023, has a distinct botrytis character that will make this a stunning cheese wine. It is an outlier and well worth getting.
| Producer | Wine | Vintage | Sale Price |
| Alheit | Cartology | 2023 | R450.00 |
| Alheit | Hereafter Here | 2023 | R310.00 |
| Alheit | Hemelrand Vine Garden | 2023 | R395.00 |
| Alheit | Fire by Night | 2023 | R595.00 |
| Alheit | Nautical Dawn | 2023 | R540.00 |
| Alheit | Huilkrans | 2023 | R850.00 |
| Alheit | Magnetic North | 2023 | R850.00 |
Tasting Notes:
Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here 2023
‘Mostly a young vineyard wine, grapes from Swartland, Piekenierskloof, Bottelary, Polkadraai Hills plus some from older parcels in Paardeberg and Tygerberg. Exotic aromatics of pear, yellow peach, orange and pineapple plus some leesy character. The palate is relatively rich with tangy acidity and a savoury finish. Alc: 13.21%.’ – Christian Eedes, 92/100
Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023
‘36% Chardonnay, 28% Roussanne, 18% Chenin Blanc, 17% Verdelho, 1% Muscat – the Chenin in particular developing significant but entirely pleasing noble rot. Fermented and matured for 12 months in older oak. Citrus, stone fruit and pineapple to go with notes of potpourri, honey and mushroom on the nose. Dense fruit and driving acidity before a deeply savoury finish. A compelling rendition of this wine. Alc: 13.54%.’ Christian Eedes, 94/100
Alheit Vineyards Cartology 2023
‘94% Chenin Blanc and 6% Semillon – the Franschhoek vineyard normally bottled under the Monument label employed here. Expressive aromatics with notes of lime, lemon, white peach, Granny Smith apple and floral perfume. Excellent fruit concentration, plenty of drive and a dry finish. Wonderfully precise, even more remarkable given that production is not inconsiderable, this vintage amounting to 27,405 bottles and 240 magnums.‘ – Christian Eedes, 95/100
Alheit Vineyards Fire By Night 2023
‘Grapes from two Paardeberg vineyards planted between 1972 and 1985 on granite. Quite a pronounced note of flinty reduction as well as lime and lemon. Hugely impressive on the palate – great power delivered at low alcohol – 12.49%. Dense with arresting acidity and an olive-brine like finish. ‘ – Christian Eedes, 95/100
Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn 2023
‘Grapes from a vineyard on the southern Stellenbosch farm Rustenhof planted in 1978 on granite. Floral perfume, citrus, peach, hay and fynbos. Pure and fresh on the palate – great fruit delineation, snappy acidity and a pithy finish. Poised and elegant. Alc: 13.54%.’ – Christian Eedes, 95/100
Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans 2023
‘From Skurfberg vineyards planted between 1974 and 1989 on red sand over clay. Forthcoming aromatics of pear, peach, soft citrus, apple, potpourri and earth. The palate is voluptuous – lovely fruit weight, silky texture, well integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. A wine that hangs together very well and is simply delicious. Alc: 13.33%.’ – Christian Eedes, 97/100
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North 2023
‘From two Skurfberg blocks, one planted in 1981 and the other in 1984. Lime, lemon, fynbos, earth and a hint of struck-match reduction on the nose. The palate has great fruit definition and plenty of verve – flavours are subtle and intricate while the acidity is invigorating without being hard or angular. The 2022 vintage was famously declassified.’ – Christian Eedes, 98/100
