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 €
Sold Out
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 €
Quantity : moins plus
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 Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2023
Crystallum Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay is a refined and vibrant expression of Chardonnay, offering a poised balance of ripe fruit and elegant acidity.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
32,90 €
South Africa
93 Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
David & Nadia Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
This Chenin Blanc, sourced from a historic vineyard planted in 1968, reflects the unique terroir of deep iron- and clay-rich soils, combining freshness, minerality, and textural finesse.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
99,00 €
France
95 Jeb Dunnuck
M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine Blanc 2023
M. Chapoutier Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Crafted with meticulous care, La Bernardine Blanc showcases Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette, and Roussanne in perfect harmony, offering a balanced and complex palate.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
42,50 €
Armenia
Zorah Karasi Areni Noir 2022
Zorah Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
Explore the soulful elegance of Zorah Karasi Areni Noir 2022, a wine born from ancient Armenian terroirs, revealing a unique interplay of mountain freshness and deep, red-fruited vibrancy.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
36,90 €
Spain
96+ Robert Parker
CVNE Real de Asúa 2020
CVNE Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
CVNE Real de Asúa 2020 is an exceptional Rioja crafted to honor the estate's founding family, delivering a pure, sophisticated expression of Tempranillo from Rioja Alta.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc 2023
93,50 €