Alheit Vineyards : Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for the Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2024 from Alheit Vineyards

Tasting

Nose
On the nose, a generous bouquet of ripe citrus fruits, white flowers, and apple unfolds. Notes of lemon zest and orange blossom blend harmoniously with stone-fruit aromas.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and powerful, yet retains remarkable lightness. Its creamy, fresh texture is supported by fine minerality that lends structure. The palate reveals pronounced salinity and vibrant energy through to a long, persistent finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

The Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2024 pairs ideally with rich fish and white meats such as roast chicken or turkey. It also goes wonderfully with fresh cheese.

Serving and Cellaring

To enjoy this Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2024 to the fullest, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A powerful and mineral Chenin Blanc from South Africa

The Estate

Founded in 2011 by Chris and Suzaan Alheit in the Walker Bay region of South Africa, Alheit Vineyards spans dry-farmed vines spread across several separate parcels in the Western Cape. The couple, trained in Stellenbosch and enriched by international experience, now runs this estate located on the Hemelrand farm near Hermanus. Their minimalist philosophy focuses on maximum work in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar, honoring South Africa’s winemaking heritage through wines of remarkable purity.

The Vineyard

Huilkrans comes from a historic parcel in the Citrusdal Mountain region, also known as Skurfberg. The bush vines, planted in the 1970s and 1980s, are rooted in a terroir of deep red sand over red clay. Situated at altitude on a gentle south-facing slope, these old Western Cape vines are dry-farmed and managed with low planting density. The name Huilkrans refers to a cliff on the Oudam farm that “weeps” when it rains.

Vinification and Aging

Vinification of the Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2024 follows a minimal-intervention approach. After manual selection, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed. The must, only very lightly settled and retaining its natural cloudiness, ferments spontaneously with wild yeasts in foudres and old barrels. The wine then ages for 12 months on the lees in barrel, followed by an additional 6 months in tank on fine lees. No fining is carried out.

Grape Variety

This white wine from South Africa is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.