Alheit Vineyards Radio Lazarus Chenin Blanc 2014
Vineyards
Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch
Winemaking and Maturation
The grapes were hand-sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice is very lightly settled with no additions to the raw juice. Wild fermentation in foudres and old barrels of various sizes, mostly 400L. Fermentation lasted for about one month. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful
winemaking.
Tasting Notes
“This is very likely the last release of this single-vineyard wine, after winemakers Chris and Suzaan Alheit found the extreme Bottelary site unrecoverable after three years of drought pushed it over the edge. Shame, but it’s a beautiful swan song, boasting pure, direct notes of calendula, beeswax, fynbos and Anjou pear from the start. The palate shows good cut, with moderate acidity and a softly pithy texture reminiscent of bitter melon, orange peel and pear. The finish lingers on a saline accent.” – Lauren Buzzeo from Wine Enthusiast.
Technical Details
Varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc
