2018 Cartology Chenin Blanc/ Semillon
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This year, Chris Alheit had a delightful little surprise in store for me with a vertical of Cartology from 2022 to 2018. Notably, the shyest of the vertical, the 2018 Cartology Bush Vines is still tight with a subdued nutty essence and dusty citrus blossom aromas. Medium-bodied, the mouthfeel is clean, complex and more expressive than the nose leads you to believe before showcasing an excellent mineral tension. This beauty with plenty of life left will continue to age gracefully for the next 10 years, if not longer.
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Cartology, a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sémillon this year, is whole-cluster-pressed with no SO2 addition, and matured in used oak. It has a well defined, pure bouquet of dried honey, yellow flower, honeysuckle and lanolin aromas that instantly seduce the senses. The palate is beautifully balanced with a slightly oily-textured opening, the intensity deftly counterbalanced by the fine bead of acidity, and a discreet spiciness toward the finish. This is very harmonious and persistent, an effortless Cartology that should age with style. Superb.
Bottled March 2019 under Diam, as are all Alheit’s wines now – he is fed up with the variability of oxygen ingress that he gets with cork. 10% Semillon and 10 vineyards of Chenin all down the western coast. Some citrus fruit, green fruits and a light stone-dust minerality. There’s a note of oak spice but it’s subtle. So seductively creamy on the palate but with a piercing freshness to balance. Intense and alive. Stunning new vintage. (JH)