Highlights: three stunning Chenins from Alheit
Chris Alheit was presenting at the Chenin Congress 2025 in the Loire Valley, and he showed three recent releases. These were such distinctive wines. ‘Chenin blanc is a noble grape, and it’s an honest grape,’ he says.
Alheit Fire by Night Chenin Blanc 2024 Paardeberg, Swartland, South Africa
Vineyards planted between 1972 and 1985 on decomposed granitic soils in the Paardeberg, 330-350 m. Linear and bright with complex citrus and pear fruit, showing some delicate mineral and spice notes with a slight salinity. Nice acid line. This is subtle, layered and shows nice concentration. Very refined. 94/100
Alheit Nautical Dawn 2024 Stellenbosch, South Africa
False Bay Coast. Crystalline and refined with beautifully focused citrus fruit with some grainy structure and bright acidity. There’s some pear and peach richness, but it stays focused and expressive with a tapering, dynamic finish. So detailed and refined. 96/100
Alheit Magnetic North 2024 Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa
Rosa Kruger introduced Chris and Suzaan to this vineyard. 1981 and 1983 planted, own rooted, massale selection, 550 m. Red sandy soils, iron rich. Lively and concentrated, this is mineral and saline with bright, tensile, energetic lime and mandarin fruit, as well as a hint of citrus peel. There’s a lovely energy to the finish, with gentle saline character and bright acidity. Long finish. 96/100
