The Wine Advocate | RP 92+
Published: Dec 29, 2023
Drink: 2024-2036

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.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17+
Published: Nov 11, 2022
Drink: 2023-2029

90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Sémillon.
Some veginess on the nose, then richness on the palate. Deeper-flavoured than the Hereafter Here with more obvious honey rather than greenness. 
Alcohol: 13%

Alheitvineyards.co.za

Cartology is a vinous exploration of Cape heritage. It's intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuvee is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines, of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc and Semillon. These grapes have been planted in the Cape for centuries.
Cartology has become our staple offering. It serves as a poster child for our project, and also seems to have become a flag bearer for Cape heritage wine in general.

Vineyards:
As a rule, the Cartology parcels are dry farmed bushvines, with a minimum age of 30 years, although most are between 40 and 50 years old. Average yields for these parcels is around 3 tons/Ha or around 20hl/Ha.
Cartology is 90% Chenin blanc and 10% Semillon. The Chenin comes from our parcels in the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Perdeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Semillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.

Tasting Notes:
Weight and power are not the same thing. Here's a wine with a moderate palate weight that has both intensity and power. The nose is wonderful: kumquat citrus, sweet oatmeal and honey, maybe elderflower. The palate is fine and bright, reminiscent of salty/sweet candied lemon, great length.

Technical Details:
Varieties: 90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Semillon

The Name: Cartology means the study of maps or charts. It could not be more perfect name for this wine. Not only because of our endeavours to search for and find these special old vineyards, but also because the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape.