99 points Tim Atkin, MW: "The wonderful Basie van Lill grows the grapes that go into this stunning, dry-farmed Chenin on its own roots. There are only 2,000 bottles of this world-class wine, so employ a private detective to track down a bottle or two if you have to. Complex, layered and refined with spice and honeysuckle aromas, laser-like focus and subtle wood. 2020-28. (2018)"
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Magnetic North comes from ungrafted Chenin Blanc planted on red sand over red clay, matured in neutral 300-liter barrels that are 10 years old. It has a very expressive bouquet of lemon thyme, sage, broom, ground stone and just a touch of mint, all very focused and well defined. The palate is full of tension from the start and quite saline in the mouth, offering orange pith, dried mango, white pepper and a slightly ferrous note toward the finish. This feels long in the mouth, although I would be inclined to see it age in bottle for two or three years. Drink: 2020-2032. (Aug 2018)"
94 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$100 list] Lemon balm, cinnamon bark, yellow field flowers, spiced orange tea, just-dried straw and lightly toasted apple skin all dance on the nose of this ethereal and superbly attractive wine. The mouthfeel is fruited and rounded yet balanced and textured all at once, with a lovely bitterness and a lick of salted butter that play against the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors. Lingering notes of waxy melon, orange rind and whole spice like nutmeg and allspice unfold on the long, lightly nutty finish. It's a charmer that's hard to resist but will age well through 2030. (Jul 2019)"
Producer notes: "The nose is already quite impressive, showing lemon skin, grapefruit, honeysuckle and pear, with a 'rusty' savoury type of edge. The palate shows boundless energy, fine tannin and trademark towering acidity. It’s the type of wine that builds in the mouth, revealing more of itself, unfolding, cascading. 14% alc."
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Magnetic North comes from ungrafted Chenin Blanc planted on red sand over red clay, matured in neutral 300-liter barrels that are 10 years old. It has a very expressive bouquet of lemon thyme, sage, broom, ground stone and just a touch of mint, all very focused and well defined. The palate is full of tension from the start and quite saline in the mouth, offering orange pith, dried mango, white pepper and a slightly ferrous note toward the finish. This feels long in the mouth, although I would be inclined to see it age in bottle for two or three years. Drink: 2020-2032. (Aug 2018)"
94 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$100 list] Lemon balm, cinnamon bark, yellow field flowers, spiced orange tea, just-dried straw and lightly toasted apple skin all dance on the nose of this ethereal and superbly attractive wine. The mouthfeel is fruited and rounded yet balanced and textured all at once, with a lovely bitterness and a lick of salted butter that play against the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors. Lingering notes of waxy melon, orange rind and whole spice like nutmeg and allspice unfold on the long, lightly nutty finish. It's a charmer that's hard to resist but will age well through 2030. (Jul 2019)"
Producer notes: "The nose is already quite impressive, showing lemon skin, grapefruit, honeysuckle and pear, with a 'rusty' savoury type of edge. The palate shows boundless energy, fine tannin and trademark towering acidity. It’s the type of wine that builds in the mouth, revealing more of itself, unfolding, cascading. 14% alc."
| Product SKU | 702532 |
| Producer | Alheit |
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Western Cape |
| Varietal | Chenin Blanc |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
