Viniou Reviews
Alheit Vineyards’ Cartology 2016 hails from the Hemel-en-Aarde region in South Africa’s Western Cape. This white blend is celebrated for its complexity and depth, primarily featuring old bush vine Chenin Blanc complemented by Sémillon. The winemakers employ a minimalist philosophy, allowing the old vines’ character to shine through by using natural yeasts during fermentation and minimal intervention in the cellar. The resulting wine boasts intricate aromas, often revealing notes of quince, citrus, hay, and a subtle herbal edge, underpinned by a waxy texture and vibrant salinity, hallmark traits of age-worthy South African bush vine whites.
Hemel-en-Aarde, whose name translates as "Heaven and Earth", is acclaimed as one of the Cape's premier cool-climate regions. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means that vineyards benefit from cooling sea breezes and persistent morning mists, preserving acidity and complexity in the grapes. Soils here are a fascinating mix of clay, shale, and granite, providing excellent drainage and imparting mineral nuances to the wines. Though the region has become particularly known for terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it is also home to superb, characterful white blends like Cartology, which showcase South Africa’s unique viticultural heritage and its resilient old vines—some over 40 years old.
For food pairing, the layered texture and brisk acidity of Cartology 2016 suggest a range of culinary companions. Consider pairing it with grilled line-caught fish, kingklip in a beurre blanc sauce, or roasted guinea fowl with sage. Its mineral undertones and slight waxiness also make it a wonderful match with seafood pastas or local South African dishes such as snoek pâté, as well as aged cheeses like mature cheddar.
For optimum enjoyment, serve Cartology 2016 at 10-12°C. Decanting for thirty minutes before tasting will allow its aromatic complexity to unfold. This wine is drinking beautifully now but can equally benefit from several more years of cellaring, promising intriguing new layers with time.
