Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021

The 2021 Hemelrand Vine Garden is one of Chris Alheit’s biggest successes and encapsulates everything great about his wine. Initially quite neutral, it reveals wondrous sea spray, honeysuckle, Provençal herbs and hints of powdered chalk on the nose. The palate has exquisite balance, very cohesive and intense, yet the acidity keeps this so fresh with hints of yellow plum, frangipane and quince towards the extended finish. You just want to go back for another sip (and I bet you will). 96 points – Neal Martin, Vinous

Hemelrand Vine Garden is a unique vineyard that produces a unique wine. The idea is to bottle the wine just as the vineyard produces it, effectively creating a white field blend that changes every year depending on the vintage conditions. This way we have one place expressed by a few different grapes, changing as the season dictates. Hemelrand continues to fulfil its promise of excellence, showing increased depth and nuance year- on-year as the vines mature.

Hemelrand it is situated on the cold and windy Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level on gravelly clay and Sandstone. The vineyard was planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin blanc, and Muscat Blanc a petit grain. However, as mentioned, the proportions of the different grapes produced significantly varies each vintage. Viticulturally speaking, this is a marginal site, the upside of which is slow ripening with high natural acidity.

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