“Exciting and sculpted. Just brilliant!” – Jancis Robinson MW, 17 points

A new wine from Chris Alheit is big news in these parts, which is a reflection of Chris Alheit’s mighty reputation and not a criticism of these parts. It’s a Chenin Blanc made from young vines, planted by Chris and Suzaan with one eye on the future (young vines eventually become old vines after all) and is made in the same way as their single vineyard wines (malolactic fermentation, 18 months in barrel etc.) and is abuzz with energy and precision. It’s a fantastic example of bush-vine Chenin full of cool stone fruits and something earthy, like grist from the mill, and plenty of dry extract and tannic pinch to give it authority. A wine that bridges the gap between their (sadly discontinued) Flotsam and Jetsam white and their premium ‘single vineyard’ cuvées. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2030.

Press review:

JancisRobinson.com: “Wild honey, sour cherry, mimosa on the nose. Honeysuckle. Quince on the palate and then both taut and rich, dense and wired to cutting point; lime marmalade and gingerbread. Floral and tense and thrilling. So goddam alive! It tastes as if it wants to take off like a rocket. (TC)” 17 points

Jancis Robinson MW: “Rich and very honeyed and Chenin. Exciting and sculpted. Just brilliant! Long, throbbing fruit. (JR)” 17 points

Greg Sherwood MW: “Made from a mixture of young and older vines aged between 5 and 40 years old, after 18 months of elevage with 66% aged on its fine lees, the complex aromatics reveal a rich leesy, savoury yellow fruited nose with pithy white citrus, peach stone, bitter almonds, dried herbs, orange blossom and hints of lemon oil. Rich but not too overtly “fruity”, the palate is plush, harmonious and textural with hints of honeydew melon, lemon pastille, white peach and savoury leesy biscuit hints. Really quite serious, and seriously delicious! Drink now and over the next 8 to 10 years.” 94 points

Vinous: “The 2022 Hereafter Here is a mixture of young and old vines due to the higher yields this year, whole bunch pressed with 18 months elevage, two-thirds on the lees. The well-defined bouquet has yellow plum, orange blossom, Japanese yuzu and crushed stone aromas. The palate is very harmonious, with a crisp line of acidity. A linear, alost Zen-like razor-sharp Chenin displaying wonderful nerve on the finish. Superb.” 91 points

Tim Atkin: “Herafter Here is Chris Alheit's biggest-production Chenin Blanc, made from five different sources in Stellenbosch and the Swartland. The vines are mostly younger, producing a wine that's comparatively immediate, with a nice interplay between peach an green apple fruit and impressive brightness for a 2022 release. 2023-28.” 93 points

Customer comment:

“A very good (if pricier) replacement for the much-missed Flotsam & Jetsam!” - Mr T.P