Carinus 2022s: Chenin magic with Lukas Van Loggerenberg & Chris Alheit
Carinus 2022s: Chenin magic with Lukas Van Loggerenberg & Chris Alheit
Carinus 2022s
Chenin magic with Lukas Van Loggerenberg & Chris Alheit
Danie and Hugo Carinus are exceptional growers, supplying their sought-after grapes to the country’s leading producers. So when rockstar winemakers Lukas Van Loggerenberg and Chris Alheit decided to collaborate with the Carinus cousins, the outcome was sure to be special! Their Chenin Blanc bottlings, Rooidraai 2022 and Polkadraai Heuwels 2022, offer a unique opportunity to experience two terroirs interpreted by two immensely talented winemakers.
The Polkadraai Heuwels from Stellenbosch is made by Chris Alheit, while the old-vine Rooidraai – from Paardeberg, Swartland fruit – is made by Lukas. Both Chenins hail from granitic soils, but the Polkadraai Heuwels comes from a younger, one-hectare vineyard. These outstanding wines will add great nuance and drinking pleasure to any Chenin Blanc collection.
Offering the best possible quality, the Polkadraai Heuwels is shy and light-footed, with a wonderfully subtle end. It has ‘lovely texture and a cool, precise finish’, says Tim Atkin MW. The Rooidraai 2022 has more fragrance, showing detailed floral aromatics and notes of freshly turned pottery, with refined structure and balance. ‘This is most sophisticated!’ writes Christian Eedes.
Danie and Hugo grow their grapes in Devon Valley, Polkadraai and the Swartland. They are fifth-generation wine growers and former Wine Cellar Young Guns™, and their small-batch wines are well worth seeking out.
