2022 Alheit Vineyards Cartology Chenin Blanc Semillon

Cartology means the study of maps or charts and the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of parcels of mature dryland bushvines of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc (93%) and Sémillon (7%). The Chenin comes from parcels in the Skurfberg, Perdeberg, Upper Blaauwklippen, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Sémillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.

The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in either cements eggs, clay pots, foudres or old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.

Other Reviews....
92% Chenin Blanc and 8% Semillon sourced from across the Western Cape – total production: 27 000 bottles and 240 magnums. Inviting aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, white flowers, thatch and fynbos while the palate shows great purity of fruit, driving acidity and a pithy finish. Poised and linear, the finish wonderfully long.
96 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.za

The 2022 Cartology is whole bunch pressed with no sulfur added until mid-winter with five months in tank on the fine lees. It has a very pure bouquet with yellow plum, egg whites and candle wax. This unfolds beautifully in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a lively opening, citrus-fresh with orange rind and lime. Alheit mentioned how difficult it was to obtain the acidity, but I think he achieved it here. Excellent, even if I don't consider it the best Cartology ever made. Drink 2024 - 2035.
92 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous

Wonderfully concentrated white showing fresh apricots, waxed lemons, crushed stones and green mangoes, with a touch of jasmine and lime. Medium-bodied, compact and waxy on the palate. Beautifully long and composed with perfectly ripe stone fruit notes lingering. 92% chenin blanc and 8% semillon. Drink or hold.
94 Points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.com

Mostly Chenin Blanc with 8% Sémillon, the 2022 Cartology Bush Vines instantly impresses with fantastic balance and weight, offering succulent aromas of lemon, almonds and dusty citrus blossoms. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate is fresh, clean and mineral driven with a subtly spiced chassis before displaying a food-friendly finish that will benefit from another year in the bottle. Just over 27,000 bottles were produced after resting in a mix of cement eggs, old foudre and old barrels. Drink 2024 - 2037.
93 Points
Anthony Mueller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate