2014 Vintage
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 11 March 2024
2014 Vintage
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Chris and Suzanne Alheit set the wine world on fire with their maiden 2011 Cartology receiving 96 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Aiming to harness the best old vineyards across the Cape, the Cartology offered a textured old-vine Chenin Blanc Semillon blend with startling purity and depth. Passionate and focused on the expression of place, tiny, long-forgotten parcels were added to the range, and are today South Africa’s most profound white wines. We auction maiden vintages of Magnetic Makstok on the legendary ‘Skurfkop’ in the Citrusdal area, Huilkrans in the Paardeberg, La Colline in Franschhoek, and, extremely rare Radio Lazarus in Stellenbosch.
Cartology is one of the most recognisable Cape white blends today.
Cartology (meaning the study of maps) is a vinous exploration of Cape heritage. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape, seen through the lens of her mature vineyards, in a given vintage. Therefore, the cuveé is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines. Naturally, the varieties used are also heritage varieties, namely Chenin blanc and Semillon. They have been planted in the Cape for centuries.
Critics Ratings
‘The 2014 Cartology has a different bouquet compared to the 2012 and 2013: more complexity here with linden, orange zest, yellow flowers and a touch of chalk dust (perhaps with just a touch of botrytis.) The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, hints of mango and yellow plum, lemon curd, ginger and a touch of spice on the finish. This is more forward than the 2012 and 2013, a subtle nuttiness emerging with time.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Aug 2018)
‘More creamy and buttery than the 2013 but not over the top. Broad and orangey on the palate, lots of spice and breadth and a little less tension but no lack of freshness. And a long, spicy, orange-inflected finish. Developing more quickly and has a little bit of botrytis, especially in the Stellenbosch fruit. Rare to have more than 4 to 5% but he is not against it and wants to reflect the place and the vintage.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jul 2018)
‘As usual, 2014 from 4 old blocks of widely sourced chenin, one (11%) of semillon. The aromas of a hot, scrubby hillside, yet somehow cool. Mouthfilling richness with peach skin texture & 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 the 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. Drink: 2015-20’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 95/100
‘The 2014 Cartology Bush Vines is Chris Alheit's fourth release 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 were Chris Alheit has set the bar.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Nov 2015)
Provenance
Private Client
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