5 Stars 2025 John Platter’s South African Wine Guide Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge co-grown roussanne, chenin, verdelho & touch of muscat led by 36% chardonnay in 23 (95 pts). Blackcurrant top notes to apple, peach & quince, the whole lightly spiced ex older, mixed-sized barrels. Kept on pointe, now & for many years, by steely acid core.94 points Vinous Aug 2024 The 2023 Hemelrand Vine Garden comes from vines planted in 2010. Chris Alheit said that it was looking perfect until about 12 to 14 days before the intended picking date, when he started seeing some botrytis on the Chenin Blanc. He briefly considered making a sweet wine from the fruit, but in the end, since it is predesigned to be a field blend, the Chenin is “in the mix.” Consequently, there is a slightly more honeyed tone to the nose, but it is still well defined with fine minerality. The palate is clear and precise with a slightly viscous texture, counterbalanced by the acidity. Very distinctive in style and true to the growing season, it reveals a twist of bitter lemon on the aftertaste. Very fine. Drink 2026-2042.93 points James Suckling Oct 2024 Aromatic and exotic, showing lychee, melon, orange-blossom, peach and honeysuckle aromas. Some apricot compote. It’s medium- to full-bodied, lightly oily in texture yet fresh and wonderfully floral. 36% chardonnay, 28% roussanne, 18% chenin blanc, 17% verdelho and 1% muscat. Delicious now.93 points Tim Atkin MW 2024 [13.5%] Hemelrand comes from the vines that are planted around Chris Alheit’s winery on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and is an intriguing cuvée of Chardonnay, 28% Roussanne, 18% Chenin Blanc, 17% Verdelho and 1% (very perfumed) Muscat. Featuring some botrytis affected grapes caused by the rains in 2023, this has pear, orange zest and fresh grape flavours and some lees-derived texture. 2024-2029.17.5 pts Jancis Robinson MW (Tamlyn Currin) A slight body shock to go from the structural power of Huilkrans and Magnetic North to the lustrous golden shimmer and seduction of Hemelrand. The wine is so rich it almost tastes sweet (which, at 2.7 g/l of residual, it most certainly is not). It’s a tango of sweet and sharp, bitter and spice. Honey and crab-apple jelly, kumquat marmalade and russet apples. A shifting sifting shimmer of golden-grass spices. A long, murmuring finish leaving the sense of fireflies in its wake. Drink now-2032.
