Alheit Cartology 2024

Alheit Cartology 2024

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Cartology is a vinous exploration of Cape heritage. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines, of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. These grapes have been planted in the Cape for centuries. Cartology has become our staple offering. It serves as a poster child for our project, and also seems to have become a flag bearer for Cape heritage wine in general.
  • Country - South Africa
  • Region - Western Cape
  • Grape - Chenin Blanc, Semillon
  • Food Match - Crab, Lobster, Asian Cuisine, Chicken, Hard Cheese, Risotto
  • Vintage - 2024
  • Alcohol - 13.3%
  • Size - 75cl

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. Average yields for these parcels is around 3 tons/Ha or around 20hl/Ha. Cartology 2024 is 92% Chenin blanc and 8% Sémillon. The Chenin comes from our parcels in the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Semillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.

2023 - 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 with is greater. Conviction grows into perseverance. Keep going man, keep going. The nose is bloody great and so is the palate. End of note. More specifically,Wonderful nose of pear and kumquat/lime citrus. Some stone fruit too. Fantastic palate, beautiful shape, very balanced, quite powerful, full of savoury sweet tension. Long finish, deep and resonant. One for the books. - Chris Alheit

The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice, wild fermentation took place in cements eggs, clay pots, foudres, and old barrels (various sizes). Fermentation of various parcels lasted anywhere between 3 weeks and 11 months. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further five months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.

“To make Cartology, Chris Alheit sourced Chenin Blanc from seven different sub-regions of the Western Cape - Bottelary, False Bay, Malmesbury, Piekenierskloof, Skurfberg, the Paardeberg and Tygerberg - blended with 8% Semillon from La Colline in Franschhoek. Up there with the best releases of his signature wine, it has jasmine and aniseed aromas, effortless concentration, pear, apricot and fresh lime flavours and a mouth-watering finish. 2025-31.”

96 points, Tim Atkin MW.

  • Alc: 13.37% RS: 2.3g/l TA: 5.81g/l pH: 3.34
  • Varieties: 92% Chenin, 8% Semillon
  • Origin: Western Cape
  • Production: 27405 bottles and 240 magnums
  • Bottling date: May 2025