Critics Ratings

2014 - ‘As usual, 2014 is from 4 old blocks of widely sourced Chenin, one (11%) of Semillon. The aromas of a hot, scrubby hillside, yet somehow cool. Mouth-filling richness with peach skin texture and mineral undertone. Piercing, lemony intensity; cruises to a long, clean finish. All these wines matured in old oak; hands-off winemaking.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

‘In a matter of only three years, Cartology has established itself as one of South Africa’s best white blends, combining Chenin and Semillon from various sources to brilliant effect. Waxy, spicy, toasty and herbal, this wine is all about balance and transparency. A Cape classic in the making.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2015, 95/100

‘The 2014 is Chris Alheit's fourth release of the Cartology Bush Vines since it blazed onto the South African scene. It comes from the same vineyards as previous vintages. Chris said this is completely unfined and unfiltered with a very healthy pH. The nose has a sense of confidence about it, racing out of the blocks with orange zest, honeysuckle, jasmine and a touch of loganberry. The palate is lightly honeyed on the entry, beautifully balanced with a fine line of acidity, gently building in the mouth towards a complex, absorbing finish of lychee, white pepper and fennel. What a fantastic wine, but then again, that's where Chris Alheit has set the bar.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Oct 2015)

2015 - ‘More than ever, 2015 reflects Chenin Blanc and Semillon partnership, the latter up to 14% in this vintage. There’s an earthy, sunnily ripe aromatic quality mirrored in the rich and dense texture. Clean, lemony intensity provides a lengthy conclusion. Lovely wine from grand vintage; long potential.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

‘The blend has grown in size since the maiden 2011 vintage of this brilliant Chenin with 14% Semillon blend, but it’s still a very impressive wine, sourced from nine different parcels. Floral, leesy and spicy, with notes of beeswax, pear and green apple and a slight bitter twist.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2016, 94/100

‘Gorgeous, with rich lemon curd, shortbread and white peach notes contrasted with racy quinine, verbena and white ginger flavors. The long finish ripples with minerality and clementine zest. Shows terrific range and length. Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2025.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Feb 2017)

2016 - 'Heralded since maiden 2011 (5 stars), has grown in self-assurance since. Texture - some grippy density and silkiness - especially evident in 2016. There’s also brightness and vivacity to heighten layers of persistent flavour. Chenin with 11% Semillon; natural ferment, 90% old oak, 10% concrete ‘egg’.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (93/100)

‘On account of the heat wave, 2016 produced the smallest amount of Cartology (69 barrels) since 2013. Early picked for freshness, it’s a spicy, complex, naturally fermented blend of Chenin with 11% Semillon, showing stony minerality and notes of aniseed, beeswax and citrus peel. 2018-24.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2017, 95/100

'The nose shows lemon peel, fennel, spearmint, ripe apple and pear, perhaps a touch of honey. The palate is very vibrant and fine, with ample texture and weight. The finish is long and refreshing. For me, this is the most balanced Cartology bottling to date. Is it arrogance to feel so good about a wine? Yep, probably.' - Chris Alheit

2017 - 'Chris Alheit’s “vinous exploration of Cape heritage” continues to delight. Now in its seventh vintage, it’s a cuvée of Chenin and 11% Semillon sourced from ten sites. Waxy, spicy and complete, it has leesy intensity, notes of hay and aromatic herbs and tangy, green apple acidity. 2019-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

87% Chenin Blanc, 13% Semillon. A complex and subtle nose of pear, peach, apple, even some blackcurrant plus herbs and a little wet wool. Pure and fresh – hangs together really well – the finish long and dry. This is perhaps not as thrilling as Alheit’s single-vineyard bottlings but it does have a completeness about it. Drawn from vineyards across the Western Cape, this is, as always, a subtle and intellectually demanding wine. Alcohol: 13.5%.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

'The 2017 Cartology comes from old bush vines, saw no SO2 addition during ferment and, after a rough settling, was matured in used barrels. It has a very attractive bouquet of dried honey, orange blossom and beeswax, very well defined and gaining intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with a gorgeous tangy, marmalade-tinged opening. The acidity is extremely well judged (as it nearly always is) and a touch of stem ginger and rhubarb emerges toward the poised, energetic finish. Excellent.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2018)

The 2017 Cartology Bush Vines represents all that is good about Chenin Blanc from South Africa. With so many different styles existing in South Africa today, the Catrology has a focused and refined nose with a weight on the mid-palate that can be felt by the drinker. This wine is both precise and elegant. Just by feeling the wine on the palate, you begin to sense the love and attention this wine received during its élevage. Muskmelon, creamy peach yogurt and Meyer lemon glide over the palate and will make you do a double take. Sensations of light beeswax and dusty citrus blossoms follow the fruit onto the finish. The wine is full-bodied with a full-structured finish that lingers long. This is going into my cellar, and I recommend that you grab a bottle for yourself. 1,400 cases were made. - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Oct 2019)

2019 - ‘From various old-vine Chenin parcels in Western Cape and 10% Franschhoek Semillon. 2019 really singing, with creamy pineapple and citrus fruit enlivened with a touch of orange peel and toasted oatmeal. Zesty, pithy acidity throughout and excellent length. Even finer than 2018 (4.5 stars, 93 pts). Natural ferment, hands-off winemaking, neutral vessels (here including 20% ‘eggs’).’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)

‘Such intensity! Salty beeswax on the nose and some green notes (Sémillon?) streak the liquid honey (though it's a bone-dry wine) and real grip on the inside of the palate. Very tense but with masses of fruit. Still very youthful but it's rather difficult to resist. Really throbs for ages on the finish.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Mar 2021)

‘Since its first, headline-grabbing release in 2011, Cartology has become a key wine in the history of the new South Africa. Blended across the Western Cape, it's an assemblage of Chenin Blanc with 10% Semillon that’s herbal, textured and sappy with notes of oatmeal, citrus and pear, pithy acidity, subtle oak and a spicy twist. Arguably the best release since 2011. 2021-27.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2020, 95/100

Provenance

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