Critics Ratings

The debut 2012 Radio Lazarus is pure Chenin Blanc and is a wine that readers should “tune in” for. It is their first single vineyard release, …though by all accounts this parcel took months to locate. It comes from vines perched on top of the Bottelary Hills at around 400 meters: dry farmed Chenin Blanc planted in 1978 that had been sold off in bulk. Chris actually made a small quantity of 2011, though not enough to be commercialized and yet he found the potential evident. (Incidentally, the name comes from the fact that the vineyard is overlooked by a radio mast and “Lazarus” who was raised from the dead, since the vines were due to be grubbed up the year that Chris discovered them.) It has a superbly defined bouquet with wax resin, vanilla creams, pineapple, sunflower seed and orange blossom that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well-balanced with a fine line of acidity. It is an unpretentious Chenin Blanc that is deceptively understated on the entry, but it builds in the mouth to a lovely mango, pineapple and white pepper-tinged finish. The Radio Lazarus …constitutes a superb offering from Chris and Suzaan Alheit.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (October 2013), 93/100

Provenance

Private Client