2015 Alheit Vineyards, Flotsam & Jetsam Cinsault, South Africa

Cinsault (pronounced "sin-so") is a red grape variety known for its versatility and contributions to various wine regions worldwide. It has a rich history, primarily in the Languedoc region of southern France, but it has spread to many other wine-producing areas due to its adaptability to different climates.

It is rare for a new producer to achieve cult status almost immediately, but Chris and Suzaan Alheit’s first (2011) vintage of Cartology brought them unexpected fame; this is now one of the most tightly allocated South African names on the market. The aim of the winery is to “vinify extraordinary Cape vineyards (sic)... to find the voice of the land itself. Whether that voice be a choir of amazing blocks blended into one bottle, or the purity and beauty of a single vineyard soloist.” Using the knowledge and contacts of leading viticulturist, Rosa Kruger, the couple sought out some of the oldest vineyard blocks in the country. Chenin Blanc accounts for 88 percent of the total blend and comes from four separate sites around the Western Cape: 35 percent Skurfberg – sourced from three separate farms 31 percent Perdeberg – Uitsig farm 12 percent Bottelary Hills – Radio Lazarus 10 percent Kasteelberg – Riebeeck Mountain planted on schist soils The remaining 12 percent component is very old vine Semillon from La Colline on the Robertsvlei Road in Franschhoek. The winery itself is a rented shed, originally conceived as an olive oil production facility, on the Hemel-en-Aarde road out of Hermanus, a far cry from their vineyard sources on the western coast. There were only 43 barrels made of 2013 Cartology. Suffice it to say that availability is extremely limited.