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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Heretext
92POINTS
17/20

Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here 2020

Western Cape, South AfricaChris Alheit is one of the leading saviours of old vines in South Africa, sourcing out small, oft-forgotten parcels across the Western Cape and rejuvenating them into storied wines. This cuvée comes off younger parcels of bush vine chenin, planted for the future (the next-gen old vines) that the Alheits are nurturing in Malmesbury, the Upper Blaauwklippen, and Polkadraai. It's whole-bunch-pressed and native fermented over two months in older barrels of various sizes. It was kept on lees for one year, then rested in the tank on fine lees without fining for six months before bottling. So lively and tight in youth, with lemon verbena, green apple, and meadow herbs, across a lightly waxen / clover honey base, all gripped with a lovely tension and energy to a saline finish. Such a smart, joyous, young, seriously smashable wine now, though the Diam10 cork leads me to recommend cellaring.Tasted: 21 August 2022Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$43.00750mlselect private retailers
Producer: Alheit VineyardsDistributors: Crush Imports
Group Soleil
Rezin
Grape: Chenin Blanc