R483.00
As a rule, the Cartology parcels are dry-farmed bushvines, with a minimum age of 35 years, although most are between 40 and 50 years old. The average yields for these parcels is around 3 tons per hectare, or around 20hL per hectare. Cartology 2023 is 94% Chenin Blanc and 6% Semillon. The Chenin Blanc comes from the parcels in the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Semillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.
The grapes were hand-sorted and wholebunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice. Wild fermentation took place in cements eggs, old foudres, and old barrels (various sizes). Fermentation of various parcels lasted between 3 weeks and 11 months. The wine was kept on the lees for 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further 5 months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.
“This wine makes me smile. There are times as a winemaker when you wonder to yourself if you still have the conviction and the passion you once did. This wine puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder and answers the secret internal question. Passion is great, experience is greater. Conviction grows into perseverance. Keep going, man, keep going. The nose is bloody great and so is the palate. More specifically, expect ripe pear, citrus rind, and some sweet herbal notes on the nose. The palate is energetic, just about perfectly weighted somewhere between richness and crystalline refreshment. The finish is long and moreish.” – Winemaker’s notes
ANALYSIS: ALC 13% | RS 2 g/l | TA 5.67 g/l | pH 3.36
Cartology means the study of maps or charts. It could not be a more perfect name for this wine. Not only because of our endeavours to search for and find these special old vineyards, but also because the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape.
Producer | Alheit Vineyards |
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