Alheit Hemelrand Vine Garden 2017

The 2017 wine is 26% Chenin, 26% Chardonnay, 23% Roussanne, 21% Verdelho, and 4% Muscat.

This is a slow ripening site, resulting in full flavour and high acidity. This wine exemplifies the push and pull between those two elements. The nose is exotic, the palate is bracing. I can also say with certainty that this is the best vintage for Hemelrand so far. 13.5% alc.

Nice nose with beautiful hints of stone fruit, citrus and white flowers. Palate full and complex. Very well balanced and pleasant texture. 

It has a slightly smoky character, and touch of lemon curd on the nose. Good energy, and also saline - you feel the Roussanne coming through. There’s also a beautiful floral character here. It's long and fragrant, not out of place in the Mediterranean. And a touch herbal, too, on the finish. Beautiful dancing acidity and so long.