Alheit Vineyards Fire by Night Chenin Blanc 2021
Vineyards
Situated on a high ridge (300-350 m above sea level) in the heart of the Paardeberg, Nuwedam is home to 20 Ha of mature dry-farmed bush vine Chenin Blanc. The soil is decomposed granite, yielding wines of clarity and focus. The vineyards were planted between 1972 and 1985. This gives us a palette of options to work with to make our best possible wine from the property each vintage. These vines are our pride and joy. Their roots go deep, grabbing life out of the granite, humming their secret tune, calling you near.
Winemaking and Maturation
Hand-sorted and a whole bunch pressed. Wild fermentation in cement eggs, foudres, and old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation lasted for about one month. Kept on lees for 12 months and rested in the tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.
Tasting Notes
As usual, the wine is bright and bristling, but still the most restrained of our bottlings. It usually takes a few years to show its full potential. Now, the youthful nose shows some thatchy reduction, fynbos, and green citrus. Very fine-boned this year, with a firm pithy structure and mouth-watering acidity. This wine will certainly reward some cellaring.
Technical Details
Varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc
Wine of Origin: Swartland (Paardeberg)
Grower: Chris and Suzaan Alheit, with Ster Malan and Etienne Terblanche
