“I love this wine!” - Tamlyn Currin, 17.5 points

“One of my picks from Alheit this year. Excellent.“ - Neal Martin, 95 points

This used to be the one wine from Alheit Vineyards that we didn’t include in our allocation request, because we felt it always had too much Muscat in the blend. It’s perfectly clear to me, and should be to anyone else, that Chris Alheit has taken heed of our important opinion and has since reduced the percentage of Muscat and the wine is all the better for it. It’s still pretty and perfumed, but not as ‘muscaty’ as it was previously, with a delicate nose of meadow flowers, apricot and grapefruit and a lively stone-fruit-cocktail palate. Right, must dash, we need to go and tell that Eric Kohler how much Merlot to pop in his Chateau Lafite. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2029.

Press reviews:

Jancis Robinson MW (Tamlyn Currin): “You could almost have convinced me that this was a dry Tokaj Furmint and Hárslevelű blend. It's scrumptious and head-bending in that it smells and tastes as if it should be sweet, but it's pretty much bone dry. It's a mosaic of apricots, quince, flowers, lime candy, pineapple and mango. Spicy. Iridescent with energy and ripe rounded acidity. Dried-peaches texture gives the wine a lovely chewy finish. I guess this wine is very different every year, but the vineyard seemed to have puts its whole heart and soul into the 2022! I love this wine! Good Value. Drink now-2034.” 17.5 points

Decanter: "This organically-farmed wine showcases Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, along with Roussanne, Verdelho and a touch of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, the vines planted in 2010 on a cool and breezy ridge. Aromas of lemon, beeswax, meadow grass and white flowers. Mouthcoating succulence balances unbridled acidity, with flavours of lemon drop, sage and candied ginger. Drink now-2037." 95 points

Vinous (Neal Martin): “The 2022 Hemelrand Vine Garden comes from the vines around the winery, and, to quote Alheit, “Whatever is in the field goes into the bottle. It benefits from a slightly cooler climate, but there’ was a bit of botrytis (noble rot) on the Chenin this year. That is detectable on the nose with a touch of wild honey, peach skin and crushed limestone aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry, very well-defined with hints of nectarine and wild peach and a very seductive and perisitent finish. One of my picks from Alheit this year. Excellent. Drink now-2040.” 95 points

Tim Atkin MW: “The only grapes that Chris Alheit sources from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge are from the vineyard planted around his Hemelrand winery. Showing the cooler conditions of the region in what was a sweltering vintage in many parts of the Cape, this a cleverly judged cuvée of Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, 18% Verdelho and 2% Muscat. Lily, ginger and talcum powder aromas segue into a palate of orange zest and tropical fruit, some peachy sweetness and a fresh, well-balanced finish. Drink now-2029.” 93 points