Collectors Case 2016

Provenance

Wine Cellar

Critics Ratings

Alheit Vineyards Radio Lazarus 2016
'Sourced from two old vine blocks in Stellenbosch, one at 450 metres, the other at 400 metres, this stunning dry-farmed Chenin was fermented in clay this year, with no oak at all. Intense, concentrated stuff with mouth-watering acidity, incredible focus and precision and a long, stony, crunchy finish. 2018-26' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2017, 96/100

'Bush-vine Chenin Blanc from hilltop vineyards planted in 1970 and 1978. Ripe pear, buttery apple compote notes. Seriously delicious; will evolve beautifully. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026' - Decanter, 95/100 (2017)

'From Bottelary Chenin Blanc vinified in clay pots. A shy but intriguing nose with a herbal top note before lime, naartjie and white peach. The palate is severe in the best sense, the finish extremely long and savoury. It tantalises rather than seduces.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (May 2017)

'Spicy nose. Very distinctive. Bone dry and sophisticated. Youthful but very promising. Tense and tightly wound.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jun 2017)

Alheit Vineyards La Colline Vineyard 2016
'From celebrated 80 year old Franschhoek single-vineyard, mix white/red-skinned fruit. 2016 spontaneous ferment in youngest of old barrels (4-5 years) as 'it needs more air'. Waxy/earthy density, lifted, lengthened by lemony zest. Even finer than 2015 (4.5 stars, 92 pts).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)

'From a Franschhoek vineyard of Semillon and Semillon Gris. On the nose, there's a note of orange blossom before citrus, yellow apple, peach, dried herbs and hay - lots going on but equally nothing too heady or exaggerated. The palate meanwhile shows extraordinary fruit concentration and great length. Intense without being weighty, it comes across as just about perfectly realised. Profoundly good.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100 (May 2017)

'Sweet top note. And green edginess keeps it tense and fine. Racy but substantial. Made for the long term.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Oct 2017)

'Sourced from a south-facing slope at over 320 metres in Franschhoek, this old vine Semillon (with a little Semillon Gris) is one of the best in the Cape. Riper and a little peachier than the 2015, but with the same dill, beeswax and citrus notes, underpinned by just a hint of struck match character. 2018-26' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Mountain Makstok 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 SA Wine 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.com, 96/100 (2017)

'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*

'Intense fruity nose with a hint of something metal? Huge wine but by no means fat. Very intense concentration though not alcohol. Sit up and beg! If this were a dog, you certainly couldn't ignore it. I think ideally you might wait for it to settle down a bit and develop some subtlety.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct 2017)