Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North 2023
The Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North comes from two specific plots of ungrafted, dry-farmed Chenin Blanc vines planted in the early 1980s. Located on a high-altitude ridge in the Citrusdal Mountain ward (Skurfberg), the vineyard is defined by its "Magnetite" red ironstone and sand. This unique geology gives the wine its namesake - a magnetic, vertical pull that distinguishes it from almost any other Chenin Blanc in the world. In the cellar, Chris Alheit remains a servant to the fruit. The 2023 was whole-bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine spent roughly 12 months in old, neutral French oak barrels, followed by a rest in stainless steel on the fine lees. There is no new oak here; the wood is simply a vessel for oxygen exchange, allowing the wine’s natural "salt-and-citrus" intensity to shine. The 2023 vintage is electric. It opens with an intense nose of lime zest, wet flint, and white flowers. On the palate, it is incredibly concentrated yet weightless - a paradox of ripe pear and peach fruit slashed through by a laser-like line of acidity and a distinct, saline finish. This is not just wine; it is a map of a mountain. It represents the absolute pinnacle of what South African old-vine Chenin can achieve. For those who seek precision, longevity, and a true sense of place, Magnetic North is the ultimate "Bonafide" find.
