Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023 Bottle size: 750ml

'Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge co-grown roussanne, chenin, verdelho & touch of muscat led by 36% chardonnay in 2023. Blackcurrant top notes to apple, peach & quince, the whole lightly spicy ex older, mixed-size barrels. Kept en pointe, now & for many years, by steely acid core.'– Platter's Guide, 5* (95/100)

‘36% Chardonnay, 28% Roussanne, 18% Chenin Blanc, 17% Verdelho, 1% Muscat – the Chenin in particular developing significant but entirely pleasing noble rot. Fermented and matured for 12 months in older oak. Citrus, stone fruit and pineapple to go with notes of potpourri, honey and mushroom on the nose. Dense fruit and driving acidity before a deeply savoury finish. A compelling rendition of this wine. Alc: 13.54%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

'Hemelrand comes from the vines that are planted around Chris Alheit's winery on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and is an intriguing cuvée of Chardonnay, 28% Roussanne, 18% Chenin Blanc, 17% Verdelho and 1% (very perfumed) Muscat. Featuring some botrytis- affected grapes caused by the rains in 2023, this has pear, orange zest and fresh grape flavours and some lees-derived texture. 2024-29' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 93/100

‘The nose shows the classic stone fruit and exotic flavours that we expect from Vine Garden, but then there’s dried orange peel and apricot from the noble berries. The palate is full and quite powerful. The usual high acidity carries the whole wine to a long, tapered finish.’ – Winemaker