It’s no secret that Ataraxia is one of my favourite South African wineries. If you have been to my house you will see my make shift cellar (ie garage;) looks as though it is sponsored by the Hemel en Aarde producer.
Kevin Grant is consistently rated as one South Africa’s ‘premier cru’ Chardonnay producers. In fact Decanter magazine in 2013 named ATARAXIA as one of the top 10 Chardonnays outside Burgundy.
His wines are a masterclass in restraint, elegance and purity. So much so that this soil farmer (as he likes to refer to himself) was confident enough in his fruit and ultimately his terroir that he stepped aside in the cellar; and didn’t allow the wine to go through malolactic fermentation. With 0% malo and only 20% new oak, the wine has incredible depth & form. The previous years have been on trend, and very linear, but I welcome this added breadth in the 2018, and think it is my favourite vintage I have tasted (i think the earliest was the 2011 that I’ve had the pleasure of tasting, but not in its infancy). The 2017 is still relatively tight in comparison but perhaps will age better? But right here, right now; 2018 you are a shining star! Top of your class , both locally and internationally. Bravo Kevin! And Thank you 🙂
Notes of pommes purée, white peach, lemon curd, nutmeg, hazel nuts & chiselled gravel. The acidity is engaging and the length is committed. It really ticks all the boxes for a contender in the perfect Chardonnay class…