2021 Alheit Vineyards Cartology Chenin Blanc Semillon

Cartology means the study of maps or charts and the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of parcels of mature dryland bushvines of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc (93%) and Sémillon (7%). The Chenin comes from parcels in the Skurfberg, Perdeberg, Upper Blaauwklippen, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Sémillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.

The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in either cements eggs, clay pots, foudres or old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.

Other Reviews....
This year, Chris Alheit had a delightful little surprise in store for me with a vertical of Cartology from 2022 to 2018. Bursting with energetic acidity, the 2021 Cartology Bush Vines is incredibly food friendly but will need one more year to come around. Medium-bodied, the wine is spicy on the mid-palate with a complex and mineral-laced expression before ending with a succulent finish. Start drinking in 2024. Drink 2024 - 2036.
92+ points
Anthony Mueller - Wine Advocate (Dec 30, 2023)

The 2021 Cartology is a worthy follow-up to the 2020. It unfurls gradually on the nose with honeysuckle and light yellow plum and mirabelle scents, a mineral undertow that stealthily gains prominence. The palate is very well balanced with just a killer line of acidity; Nashi pear and yellow plum commingle towards a resinous finish. After 10 minutes, it really beginning to fire on all cylinders - another magnificent Cartology. Superb. Drink 2023-2042.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Is it only just over a decade since the first vintage of this trend-setting wine in 2011? Cartology seems to have been with us for longer than that. The 2021 release marries Chenin with 10% Semillon, this is a seamless Western Cape blend, showing flavours of saffron, beeswax, pear, fresh herbs and lemon juice and engaging purity and focus. Drink 2023-2030.
95 points
Tim Atkin MW - South Africa Special Report