Magnetic North 2017 - 2019

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

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

'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)

'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)

'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 (Oct 2019)

2018:
'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)

'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

'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 (Aug 2019)

'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 (Oct 2019)

2019:
'A rich and creamy, medium- to full-bodied white, but with a spine of vivid acidity keeping this fresh and racy, enlivening flavors of dried apricot, kumquat, persimmon and chamomile. Zips along to the lightly toasty finish, with hints of salted nut and butter. Drink now through 2026.' - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Jul 2021)

'The 2019 Magnetic North is matured in cement eggs and used oak barrels. It has a lovely bouquet of peach skin, melted candle wax and light orange blossom scents that is simply irresistible. The aromatics are beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied and full of tension and energy, with a fine bead of acidity and a superb tensile, citric attack on the finish. A subtle egg yolk note lingers on the aftertaste, possibly deriving from the 3.5gm/L residual sugar. Superb.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Apr 2021)

'Epitome of Cape old-vine chenin, 2019 from block nearing 40th birthday. Fine citrus pith & peel fruit edged with savoury star-anise spice, richer mid-palate (marmalade) balances out tingling acidity, sweeping in at endless finish. Sublime.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

'Just a whisper away from perfection, this is what a great winemaker does with a world-class vineyard in a smart white wine vintage like 2019. Picked early to retain freshness and focus, Magnetic North hails from two dry-farmed bush vine parcels on Basie van Lill's property, planted in 1981 and 1984. Combining understated power with focus, it has line, length and focus with pear, citrus and wet pebble flavours and a hint of breeze-borne sea salt. Simply stunning. 2022-32' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 99/100

'From ungrafted Skurfberg Chenin Blanc. Compelling aromatics of pear, peach and grapefruit with both some smoky reduction and hay in the background. The palate, as ever, is just wonderfully pure, harmonious and long. It's a little higher in alcohol and residual sugar than usual but this serves only to give the wine extra presence. Has a real completeness about it.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100 (Jul 2020)