2022 Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden

Hemelrand Vine Garden is a white field blend that changes every year depending on the vintage conditions, as the idea behind is to bottle a wine just as the vineyard produces it. The Hemelrand vineyard, situated on the Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level on gravelly clay and Sandstone, was planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin blanc and Muscat Blanc a petit grain. As mentioned, the proportions of the different grapes produced significantly varies each vintage. The 2022 release is composed of 31% Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin, 18% Verdelho and 2% Muscat.

The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in 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....
31% Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, 18% Verdelho and 2% Muscat – grapes from Hemel en Aarde Ridge. Includes a 5% botrytis portion. Exotic aromatics with notes of flowers, herbs, stone fruit, orange, pineapple and spice while the palate has big volume and tangy acidity. Rich and thick-textured with plenty of flavour.
93 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.za

The 2022 Hemelrand Vine Garden comes from the vines around the winery, and to quote Alheit, "Whatever is in the field goes into the bottle." It benefits from a slightly cooler climate, but there was a bit of botrytis on the Chenin this year. That is detectable on the nose with a touch of wild honey, peach skin and crushed limestone aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry, very well defined with hints of nectarine and wild peach and a very seductive and persistent finish. One of my picks from Alheit this year. Excellent. Drink 2024 - 2040.
95 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous

Honeysuckle, apricot stones, crushed almonds and baked apples on the nose, with a touch of grapefruit rind. Aromatic grapey and floral character peeping through, but not loud. It’s full-bodied and lightly oily, but cool, elegant and fresh. 31% chardonnay, 29% roussanne, 20% chenin blanc, 18% verdelho and 2% muscat. Drink or hold.
93 Points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.com

Chris and Suzaan Alheit believe in 'clean and simple winemaking' to honour the Cape's identity. Planted in 2010 on a cool and breezy ridge, this unique field blend showcases some of South Africa’s signature grapes, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, co-fermented with Roussanne, Verdelho, a touch of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains – just enough to give the nose an exotic and filigreed opener to this food-friendly wine. Straw yellow in colour, with aromas of lemon, beeswax, meadow grass, and white flowers, the mouth-coating succulence balances the unbridled acidity with flavors of lemon drop, sage, and essence of candied ginger. Drink 2024 - 2037.
95 Points
Marisa Finetti - Decanter