Critics Ratings

2014 - 'Showing more reticence than it did last year at a similar stage, this West Coast Chenin is very focused, with acidity and flavours that verge on austerity. But allow the wine to open in the glass: it fattens and broadens with notes of fennel, wax and savoury spice. Drink: 2015-22.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 95/100

'Alheits’ 2nd single-vineyard chenin, 2014 off old, tiny-yield, ungrafted (’makstok’), dryland chenin from Olifants River. More austere in structure than Lazarus (drier, acidity more pronounced, less rich), even more relentlessly graceful, the fruit super-subtle, the stoniness stonier. Already profound, can only gain in complexity & depth for a decade, like debut 2013.'- Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5* (95/100)

'100% Chenin Blanc from a vineyard plated in the early 1980s on the Skurfberg. An ethereal nose of lime, lemon, pear and peach plus a little mushroom. Mind-blowing fruit purity and arresting acidity – it manages to convey both the essence of the variety AND a sense of place. The finish meanwhile is extraordinarily long. Intense but not weighty, vital and refined, this is a beautiful wine.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

'The 2014 Magnetic North Mountain Makstok comes from a ridge located at 520 meters. It has slightly more detail on the nose compared to Radio Lazarus: red apple, honeysuckle, peach skin and a touch of wild mint. The palate is linear, very focused and precise, fresh and tensile; it is not the most complex Chenin Blanc, but it works because it is so minimalist that you find yourself focusing upon the traces of grapefruit and white peach. This is more about texture than flavor and yet it remains an utterly absorbing wine.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100

2015 -'From old, ungrafted (’makstok’) Citrusdal Mountain chenin. 2015 more austere & spare than Lazarus, with waves of savoury acidity, stony grip subduing lemony minerality. No easy-sipper, nor even food partner yet; it needs/deserves time to settle, yield its depths.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

'(13.5% alcohol; from old, ungrafted vines): Restrained aromas of citrus fruits and flowers, plus a whiff of crushed stone. Offers noteworthy texture and sweetness in a still-reserved package. There's minerality here and a positive dryness to the wine's stone fruit and citrus flavors. The firm, spicy finish is not at all harsh. Quite strong on the back end. I suspect this will blossom in bottle.' - Stephan Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2017)

'Chris Alheit had just driven from the vineyards in the namesake iron-rich vineyard when I tasted the 2015 Magnetic North Mountain Makstok. It has a subtle bouquet with Jasmine, Mirabelle, yellow plum and linseed aromas that gather momentum in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with light lemon peel and hazelnut notes. This is a minimalist Magnetic North, tensile and focused, again more about the texture than over flavors, stem ginger tingling on the saline aftertaste. It is one of those enigmatic wines that poses more questions and answers, but occasionally that's just what you seek from a wine.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Apr 2017)

'This wine is currently a baby, wanting more time to completely form and express itself with full potential. The nose is shy at first, needing some airing to coax out notes of singed fynbos, greengage and white melon rind. The palate offers a bit more fruit expression, as waves of citrus peel, Asian pear and dried apple skin are framed by a chalky minerality and just a hint of nutty stone-fruit pit. A sea-breeze salinity graces the driven, precise finish. Drink 2020–2028.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Apr 2018)

2016 - 'It was so dry, but we’ve ended up with this,” says Chris Alheit, talking of this remarkable Chenin from blocks 10 and 13 of Basi van Lill’s West Coast farm. Aged in older wood, it’s very high in acidity and minerality, with aromas of white flowers segueing into a chiselled, appley, stony palate with leesy complexity and an undertone of oak. Drink 2018-26' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 97/100

'Another hit from Chris and Suzann Alheit. Two adjacent parcels of ungrafted Chenin vines: delicate pear and white blossom yet great persistence. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026' - Decanter Magazine 2017, 96 Points

'A place that inspires foolishness and wonder" admit the Alheits of this ungrafted Citrusdal Mountain vineyard. 2016 rewards their folly with uncompromising lemony freshness, resonating pebbly intensity. A Chenin of awe-inspiring individuality, worthy of ripe old age' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5*

2017 - 'The wonderful Basie van Lill grows the grapes that go into this stunning, dry-farmed Chenin on its own roots. There are only 2,000 bottles of this world-class wine, so employ a private detective to track down a bottle or two if you have to. Complex, layered and refined with spice and honeysuckle aromas, laser-like focus and subtle wood. 2020-28 '- Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 99/100

'Previously with ‘Mountain Makstok’ suffix. No change in quality of this extraordinary Citrusdal Mountain chenin. 2017 exudes lemon peel, pebbly intensity. Ripe flavours, full body contained by bracing acidity; uncompromisingly dry. Fermented, aged in old 300L oak.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

'Grapes from Basie van Lill’s Skurfberg farm. A haunting nose: First a hint of gun-smoke-like reduction before elusive notes of citrus, peach and fynbos. Rich and thick textured but not unctuous – there’s an acidity here that would be neck snapping if it weren’t for all the fruit concentration. This is a power-packed wine which also manages to be extraordinarily detailed. Think of Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira with ball under arm when drinking it. Alcohol: 14%.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100

'The 2017 Magnetic North comes from ungrafted Chenin Blanc planted on red sand over red clay, matured in neutral 300-liter barrels that are 10 years old. It has a very expressive bouquet of lemon thyme, sage, broom, ground stone and just a touch of mint, all very focused and well defined. The palate is full of tension from the start and quite saline in the mouth, offering orange pith, dried mango, white pepper and a slightly ferrous note toward the finish. This feels long in the mouth, although I would be inclined to see it age in bottle for two or three years.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Aug 2018)

'The 2017 Magnetic North Mountain Makstok pops with power and restraint, finesse and texture. Many can learn from what Alheit is doing (and achieving) with Chenin. The nose translates onto the palate, where all of the classic orchard fruit and bright citrus tones mingle with soft waxy melons and dusty florals. There is a soft nuttiness that is pleasing on the finish. While not as generous as the Cartology or Radio Lazarus, the Magnetic North is sure to grab your attention with its medium to full body and long finish. Only 205 cases made.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91/100 

2018 - 'Basie van Lill, one of the Cape's greatest growers, provided the grapes for the 1,042 bottles of this Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc, grown at 550 metres and cooled by afternoon breezes. With a pH of 3.1, despite almost completing a full malolactic fermentation, this is racy, pure and almost supernaturally focused with incredible palate length. 2021-33'- Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 98/100

'From ungrafted Skurfberg Chenin Blanc. A subtle nose displaying a hint of reduction before pear, white peach and lime with a slight herbal note in the background. The palate is lean and linear with a lovely line of acidity and a pithy finish. There’s no shortage of fruit density here but currently the wine appears very tightly wound and should mature with great benefit. The Yin to the Yang that is Huilkrans.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

'Thrilling 2018 from old (1981, 1984) ungrafted bushvine chenin from Citrusdal Mountain. Quiet starter, but builds on palate adding layers of tart apples, soft spice, lime zest & wet stones. Touch of creaminess balances out really zippy acidity. Just going to get better & better, as with uncompromisingly dry 2017.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5*, 95/100

'The 2018 Magnetic North comes from Citrusdal, like the Huilkrans. It has a much more backward and neutral bouquet, with fleeting pressed flower scents, and does not grab you by the lapels like the Huilkrans. The taut palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, good focus and glimpses of orange pith, apricot and ginger toward the finish. I suspect this is one of Alheit’s 2018s that will demand cellaring. One for the patient.'- Neal Martin, Vinous, 94+/100

'Opening to a pale gold hue, the 2018 Magnetic North rocks out of the glass with rich, round and robust aromas. The nose is filled with scents of fresh-cut citrus skin, apple, pear, dusty citrus blossom, lemon pastry cream and dusty almonds. Medium-bodied, the mouthfeel is plush and rounded, with energetic acidity that drives the expression across the mid-palate. In the mouth, a growing mineral tension, white spice and nuttiness gain in amplitude, expressing the sophisticated effects of lees aging, concluding with a long, drawn-out finish. The wine is a success and draws me back for more. Tasty stuff!' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92+/100 (Feb 2021)

Provenance

Private Client