Alheit Vineyards Gone South Magnum 2022

Gone South is made from two dry farmed ungrafted (own-rooted) parcels growing on a high mountainous ridge at 520 meters above sea level on very red iron-rich sandy soil over red clay. The two parcels are quite close together on a gentle south-east facing slope. One is planted in 1984, the other in 1981. Together they comprise about 2.8 ha. Usually, they yield between 1 and 2 tons per Ha, but in 2022 they delivered over 3 tons per ha. Chris personally considers this to be one of the absolute best Chenin vineyards in the cape.

The nose shows beautiful pear and fresh citrus, particularly grapefruit, perhaps kumquat. There are musky herbal notes present here too, difficult to define, something like rooibos. As always, the wine has a striking sense of purity. That classic Skurfberg saline vigour underpins the whole palate. This vintage is medium-bodied yet rich in flavour, with good length and balance.