2017 Cartology Chenin Blanc/ Semillon
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Cartology Bush Vines represents all that is good about Chenin Blanc from South Africa. With so many different styles existing in South Africa today, the Catrology has a focused and refined nose with a weight on the mid-palate that can be felt by the drinker. This wine is both precise and elegant. Just by feeling the wine on the palate, you begin to sense the love and attention this wine received during its élevage. Muskmelon, creamy peach yogurt and Meyer lemon glide over the palate and will make you do a double take. Sensations of light beeswax and dusty citrus blossoms follow the fruit onto the finish. The wine is full-bodied with a full-structured finish that lingers long. This is going into my cellar, and I recommend that you grab a bottle for yourself. 1,400 cases were made.
Critic scores
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cartology comes from old bush vines, saw no SO2 addition during ferment and, after a rough settling, was matured in used barrels. It has a very attractive bouquet of dried honey, orange blossom and beeswax, very well defined and gaining intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with a gorgeous tangy, marmalade-tinged opening. The acidity is extremely well judged (as it nearly always is) and a touch of stem ginger and rhubarb emerges toward the poised, energetic finish. Excellent.
Alheit’s favourite vintage so far. Some new (old) vineyards in this vintage in addition to the usual nine: one from Stellenbosch, one from Tygerberg, one from the Paardeberg and one from Piekenierskloof. He is starting to see patterns among the parcels and to have favourites. This is based on that knowledge. False Bay Chenin much better than he thought before. Zesty orange and citrus nose. Tight and tangy with real tension as well as that amazing depth and richness on the mid palate without any heaviness. Long and tangy with a slightly grainy texture that adds freshness and length. A lovely almost imperceptible chew on the finish. (JH)