Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023

Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Alheit Vineyards
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : South Africa
  • Region :
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chenin Blanc

Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn is a bold and dynamic single-origin Chenin Blanc, showcasing the intense concentration and natural acidity of Stellenbosch’s False Bay coastal vineyards.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 93+ 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Nautical Dawn originates from the Rustenhof farm in Firgrove, located on the southern edge of Stellenbosch, near False Bay. The vineyard lies on Sinai Hill, where small granite domes break through the soil. This dry-farmed bush vine Chenin Blanc, planted in 1978, thrives on the shallow granite soils of the upper slopes, just 4 kilometers from the ocean.

The maritime influence of False Bay, combined with the relentless southeasterly wind, ensures slow, concentrated ripening. These conditions contribute to the vineyard's early harvest despite its extreme coastal exposure, creating a Chenin Blanc of intense flavor and natural acidity.

Winemaking

The grapes for Nautical Dawn were hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed, ensuring optimal quality. The juice was intentionally kept cloudy and untreated, undergoing a wild fermentation in old barrels of various sizes. This natural fermentation process lasted approximately two months.

The wine was aged on its lees for 12 months in barrels, followed by a further five months in tank on fine lees, ensuring a pure and textured final wine. This minimalist winemaking approach captures the essence of the vineyard’s terroir.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright straw yellow with a slight golden hue.
  • Aroma: Tangy yellow fruit and soft spices dominate the nose, with subtle saline and mineral undertones.
  • Palate: Full-bodied and powerful, driven by vibrant acidity and saline tension. The finish is long and intricate, leaving a layered impression.

Did you know?

The name Nautical Dawn refers to the magical phase of dawn between astrological and civil dawn, when it’s still dark enough to see stars for navigation but light enough to hoist a sail. This evocative name reflects the wine’s connection to the sea and its eastward-facing vineyard.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled prawns with garlic and lemon: The wine’s saline and citrus notes complement the freshness of the seafood.
  • Herbed goat cheese tart: Its bright acidity and soft spice balance the creamy and tangy elements of the tart.
  • Oysters with mignonette sauce: The saline character of the wine mirrors the brininess of oysters, creating a perfect harmony.
  • Lobster risotto with saffron: The wine’s complexity and freshness enhance the luxurious flavors of the dish.

Robert Parker (RP) : 93+ Points (2022)
Complex and more lively than previous vintages, the 2022 Nautical Dawn offers better cohesion in the glass with a ripe, rich, round nose. Medium-bodied, the palate provides succulent acidity with a bright mouthfeel before showcasing a delightful mineral tension with a kiss of seaspray across the mid-palate. It concludes with a spicy finish that has me coming back for more. Be patient with this one—you’ll be tempted to open it before it’s time. The wine is fresh and bright and will likely be better with another year in the bottle. 5,100 bottles were produced after resting in foudre.

Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023
Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023
Alheit Vineyards
Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023
RP
90
W&S
90
VN
96
Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden is a dynamic and evolving field blend, capturing the unique personality of each vintage through its co-planted varietals and exceptional terroir.
39,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Alheit Vineyards Cartology Bush Vines 2023
Alheit Vineyards Cartology Bush Vines 2023
Alheit Vineyards
Cartology Bush Vines 2023
RP
93
W&S
91
VN
95
Alheit Vineyards Cartology 2023 is a remarkable expression of South African heritage, crafted from old-vine Chenin Blanc and Semillon, capturing the soul of Cape winemaking.
44,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards
Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2023
RP
94
Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans is a rich and compelling single-origin Chenin Blanc, showcasing the profound depth and power of the Skurfberg terroir, balanced by vibrant freshness and energy.
87,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Alheit Vineyards Fire By Night Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Fire By Night Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards
Fire By Night Chenin Blanc 2023
RP
92
Alheit Vineyards Fire by Night 2023 is a pure and vibrant expression of Paardeberg Chenin Blanc, offering an elegant balance of minerality, energy, and precision.
61,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards
Magnetic North Chenin Blanc 2023
RP
93
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North is a breathtaking single-origin Chenin Blanc, offering a combination of power and finesse that is rarely matched, even among the finest Chenins globally.
87,00 €
Sold Out
Wine regions guide
50,90 €
Sold Out
 
 
We also suggest...
South Africa
92+ Robert Parker
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North is a breathtaking single-origin Chenin Blanc, offering a combination of power and finesse that is rarely matched, even among the finest Chenins globally.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
87,00 €
South Africa
92+ Robert Parker
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North is a breathtaking single-origin Chenin Blanc, offering a combination of power and finesse that is rarely matched, even among the finest Chenins globally.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
87,00 €
South Africa
94 Robert Parker
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2021
David & Nadia Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
The David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc is a masterful expression of Swartland terroir, showcasing the elegance and complexity of old vine Chenin Blanc.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
95,00 €
New Zealand
Blank Canvas Una Volta Pinot Noir 2020
Blank Canvas Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Crafted in limited quantities, this Pinot Noir from Renaissance Vineyard on Felton Road, Bannockburn, balances fragrant red fruit with a complex structure.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
49,90 €
USA
95 Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2021
Ridge Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
A bold and expressive Zinfandel crafted from century-old vines, this wine captures the vibrant character and heritage of Sonoma Valley's historic Pagani Ranch.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
69,90 €
Italy
92 Robert Parker
Tedeschi La Fabriseria Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2017
Tedeschi Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Crafted from hand-selected grapes left to slightly overripen on the vine, this wine showcases the intensity of Valpolicella Classico’s terroir, with vibrant dark fruit, delicate spice, and a long, polished finish.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
36,90 €