Description
This is a new wine from young bush vine Chenin Blanc. It is a relatively small opening release but is set to grow as Chris and Suzaan plant more vineyards. These new vineyards are located on Nuwedam (the Broom Ridge farm), but the Alheit’s also intend to plant in other locations where the land is rented. This includes sites in the Polkerdraai, Blaauwklippen, both in Stellenbosch, and the Magnetic North vineyard in the Skurfberg. All new plantings will be bush-vine. The 2020 vintage was fermented in old 228 and 300 litre barrels.
Grapes from two young blocks in Stellenbosch, 70% on Polkadraai Hills and 30% in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley. Spontaneously fermented and matured in old barrels. Pear, peach, lime and herbs plus undertones of wet wool and earthiness on the nose while the palate shows concentrated fruit, lively acidity and a pithy finish. It’s very pleasing but perhaps inevitably doesn’t have quite the same detail or mass as the wines from old vines in the range. Production: 9 036 bottles. Winemag.co.za rating: 92/100.
