Huilkrans 2018 - 2019

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2018:
'Pale lemon in hue, the 2018 Hulikrans explodes from the glass in waves of expression, offering seductive aromas of lemon-almond tart, raw honeycomb, white spiced tea, yellow apple skin and elements of Meyer lemon and sea spray. Medium-bodied, the wine splashes down on the palate with an amazing mouthfeel, mineral tension and energetic acidity with a growing spiciness across the mid-palate. The wine is impeccably balanced, showing the incredible depth and versatility that Chenin Blanc possesses, bursting with layers of soft, nutty and funky tones, bright, energetic acidity and stretched mineral essence. The wine grows spicier on the finish and continues to evolve for more than a minute, flipping back and forth between flavors of sautéed nuts, citrus zest and hints of dried caramel. There is no choice; I must finish this glass. I highly recommended it to every Chenin Blanc lover out there. Bravo!' - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 94+/100 (Feb 2021)

'Richer than its Citrusdal Mountain sibling, 2018 chenin shows peaches & pineapples with caramelised marshmallow, woolly core firmly teased into line by lime marmalade acidity. Persistent & evolving through to lengthy tail. Vines planted 1974, 1986, 1989.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)

'The 2018 Huilkrans is 100% Chenin Blanc from the Citrusdal Mountains. Its bouquet is more waxy and resinous than Alheit's other 2018s, but no less compelling. Discreet scents of granite and shale emerge with continued aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, crisp and poised, with a lick of salinity toward the finish, and mango and dried pineapple toward the persistent, pixelated finish. This is another killer wine from Chris Alheit.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 97/100 (Oct 2019)

'Like Magnetic North, this stunning Chenin also comes from the Skurfbeg, albeit from Joshua Visser's rather than Basie van Lill's farm. Grown at 620 metres, dry farmed and aged on its lees in concrete eggs, it's another breathtaking white from Chris Alheit with understated power and palate-energising minerality. 2021-32.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 97/100

'More spicy than the Nautical Dawn. Somehow both smoky and dusty/chalky in its mineral character but there's a creamy note too - very complex already. So juicy and generous on the palate, gushing with citrus fruit on the palate after the spicy nose. The acid is quite strident at the moment and needs time to mesh. Bright citrus intensity.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Sep 2019)

2019:
'All sourced from Jozua Visser's farm on Citrusdal Mountain, Huilkrans is a "deeper baritone" to the "tenor" of Magnetic North. Rich and textured, it has pear, subtle stone fruit and aniseed flavours, some tangerine and beeswax and a super taut, almost mouth-watering finish. The vines were planted between 1974 and 1984. Let's hope there's a preservation order on them. 2022-29' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 98/100

'The 2019 Huilkrans, pure Chenin Blanc matured in 12-year-old, 300-liter barrels and matured on the lees for 12 months, has a wonderful and expressive bouquet of orchard fruit infused with hints of Turkish delight and gâteau basque. The poised, harmonious palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and citrus peel flavors on the saline finish. Very classy and intellectual, as much about umami as taste.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Apr 2021)

'From Skurfberg Chenin Blanc. A striking nose of citrus, peach, dried herbs and baking spice plus a rather funky waxiness. With great depth of fruit and vibrant acidity, this is altogether more powerful and showy than other recent vintages. It's still extraordinarily complex and long, however.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Jul 2020)