Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Magnum 2023 Bottle size: 1500ml

'I was fortunate to taste this wine twice over the period of a few days and it really is a world class Chenin Blanc. In fact, this is only the second time I've given 100 points to a Cape white. First made as recently as 2017, although it comes from a parcel on the Rustenhof farm that was planted close to False Bay in 1978, it's a wine that takes South Africa to new heights. Alas, only 50% of normal volumes, but this is all kelp, petrichor and sea breezes, with incredible extract, a note of umami and a dense, refreshing, mineral-rich finish.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 100/100

'The 2023 Nautical Dawn comes from granite soils in Sinai Hill and was blended into the Cartology until 2017. Powdered chalk, a touch of dried honey and lanolin come through with aeration. There’s superb delineation and a sense of energy here. The palate is wonderfully balanced, if perhaps a touch more tropical than the Fire by Night. Hints of orange pith and pear build toward the vivid finish, with a note of lemongrass on the aftertaste. Superb.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100

'Kumquat and quince, honey and baobab. Salt-spit and sting and silk. Vaulting with flavour and where the fruit and acidity meet there is a rasp of connection that curls your toes. The finish feels like a slipstream – after the roil of energy, there is a ripple of silence in its wake.' - Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, 17.5/20