2022 Alheit Vineyards Fire by Night Chenin Blanc

Fire by Night is a single origin Chenin Blanc wine grown on Alheit's own Paardeberg property called Nuwedam, planted between 1972 and 1985 on various east, west, and north facing blocks. These vineyards are the pride and joy of the family, where the pure decomposed granite soils yield wines of clarity and focus.

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....
Chenin Blanc from the Alheit’s own Paardeberg property planted between 1972 and 1985 on granite. Pear, peach, lime, green apple plus thatch and talcum powder. The palate is tightly coiled – pure fruit and zippy acidity before a very dry finish. Light-bodied but intensely flavoured, this is supremely well judged.
97 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.za

The 2022 Fire by Night comes from the Paaderberg, mainly earlier-picked fruit on granite soils, matured cement and foudres. It offers orchard fruit, crushed granite and light chalky scents that gain intensity with aeration. It coheres extremely well in the glass. The palate is taut and linear, with fine freshness and tension in situ. It becomes brisk and quite saline towards the oyster shell-tinged finish. This is a tensile and edgy Fire By Night this year. Drink 2025 - 2038.
93 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous

Sea shells, chamomile, white grapefruit and waxed lemons on the nose with a touch of juniper berry. Precise and pure, with a cool creaminess and a medium body. Sleek and honest. Drink or hold.
93 Points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.com

Fresh, zesty and bright, for 2022 Fire By Night is lemony with citrus blossom essences. Light to medium-bodied and with 12.5% alcohol, the palate offers a tight mineral tension before uncoiling to an acid-driven, food-friendly finish. 6,500 bottles were produced after resting in a mix of 80% cement eggs and 20% foudre. Drink 2023 - 2037.
92 Points
Anthony Mueller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate