Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn 2022
- v93
- wa93+
Category | White Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Alheit Vineyards |
Origin | South Africa, Stellenbosch |
"I like the orange fruit hints here like kumquats and apricots underneath crushed rocks, salted almonds and rosemary. Full of flavor, medium- to full-bodied, with intensity and power while remaining so fresh. Drink or hold." James Suckling 94 points Drink 2024-37
Vinous
- v93
The 2022 Nautical Dawn comes from granite soils. It is whole bunch pressed, fermented in a combiniation of barrels, foudres and cement eggs and matured for 12 months in two 2,000-liter foudres. I find this more expressive and terroir-driven than the Fire By Night this year - the mineralite coming through. The palate is vibrant and almost penetrating, with so much tension. It's a live wire Chenin that is never shrill but fans out beautifully towards the lemon curd and orange rind-tinged finish, with hints of oyster shell on the aftertaste.
Wine Advocate
- wa93+
Complex and more lively than previous vintages, the 2022 Nautical Dawn offers better cohesion in the glass with a ripe, rich, round nose. Medium-bodied, the palate provides succulent acidity with a bright mouthfeel before showcasing a delightful mineral tension with a kiss of seaspray across the mid-palate. It concludes with a spicy finish that has me coming back for more. Be patient with this one-you'll be tempted to open it before it's time. The wine is fresh and bright and will likely be better with another year in the bottle. 5,100 bottles were produced after resting in foudre.