THE WINES OF KEVIN GRANT - Chardonnay 2020 - Ataraxia - South-Africa

THE WINES OF KEVIN GRANT - Chardonnay - Ataraxia (Heaven and Earth Valley) - South Africa - 2020

Ataraxia: a short distance from the coastal town of Hermanus lies the Heaven and Earth Valley and the claim is justified. The Ataraxia estate sits on an extraordinary heavenly piece of land below a tower-high mountain peak of the Babylon Tower. Besides its unrelenting beauty, Ataraxia is home to some of the most spectacular terroirs South Africa has to offer.

The vineyards, with their proximity to the South Atlantic Ocean, elevated plantings and predominantly south-facing (cool) slopes create the ideal for growing cooler and climate-friendly grapes.

Ataraxia is Greek for "a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation" - a state of mind that winemaker Kevin Grant and his wife Hanli hope guests enjoy while visiting the estate or enjoying their wines.

Four wines make up Ataraxia's range: an unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, a wood-aged Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a red blend called Serenity (consisting of Pinotage and Pinot Noir).

Winemaker’s Notes

This vin de terroir is Ataraxia’s forward-looking BLACK Chardonnay. In our quest to accurately and authentically express the soul of our terroir (over trying to conjure an expression of the grape itself through winemaking alchemy), we used this old, almost forgotten, traditional Burgundy method. Rather than pressing gently, the fruit was vigorously worked. It almost felt like an act of violence! Then, instead of denying the must (juice) oxygen, it was generously aerated. Black magic happened when juice as dark as ebony as it flowed from the press, was transformed into a shimmering green-tinted yellow hue by the end of fermentation. The science behind this method is that the more oxygen the must absorbs, the less oxygen is consumed by the wine, which then has much more resistance against oxidative degradation (yellowing) during aging.

Spontaneous and complete barrel fermentation and subsequent ageing in specially selected French oak barrels sourced exclusively from Burgundian coopers comprised part of a gentle, minimalist, non-interventionist winemaking approach employed after the “bludgeoning” that occurred at the press. In this way we have crafted an astonishing and arrestingly authentic wine interpretation of a terroir ideally suited to Chardonnay.Wine Style

Painstaking fruit selection and skilled winemaking using reductive cellar techniques has resulted in our Sauvignon Blanc seamlessly incorporating the very best that the Old and New World styles have to offer. This wine favours individuality and minerality ahead of pure, pungent fruit, but still shows alluring white stone fruit, citrus and lemon grass aromas. These are effortlessly reflected on the palate and are complemented by a lively acidity which underpins a classy structure and succulent texture. A wine of substantial poise, length and charm.

Wine style

This soil-driven Chardonnay is New World in provenance but Old World in stylistic leaning. Athletic in structure, it effortlessly manages to be both subtle and intense. It is vibrant and spicy, with alluring creamy notes. An assertive mineral acidity beautifully balances a compelling intensity of fruit. There is a surprising touch of “grip” to the finish deftly rounded off with complex savoury, briny, and flinty notes. A stylish, world-class Chardonnay.