Mostly Chenin Blanc with 8% Sémillon, the 2022 Cartology Bush Vines instantly impresses with fantastic balance and weight, offering succulent aromas of lemon, almonds and dusty citrus blossoms. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate is fresh, clean and mineral driven with a subtly spiced chassis before displaying a food-friendly finish that will benefit from another year in the bottle. Just over 27,000 bottles were produced after resting in a mix of cement eggs, old foudre and old barrels.

The 2022 Cartology is whole bunch pressed with no sulfur added until mid-winter with five months in tank on the fine lees. It has a very pure bouquet with yellow plum, egg whites and candle wax. This unfolds beautifully in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a lively opening, citrus-fresh with orange rind and lime. Alheit mentioned how difficult it was to obtain the acidity, but I think he achieved it here. Excellent, even if I don't consider it the best Cartology ever made.