Ataraxia

Est. 2004

The estate was founded in 2004 by former Hamilton Russell winemaker and Cape Wine Guild member, Kevin Grant, who owns the property along with his wife Hanli. Kevin considers himself a dirt farmer, striving to make sure his wines are a pure expression of the soil in which the fruit grows. Not surprisingly, then, Kevin approaches his wines with a minimalist, non-interventionist winemaking philosophy. Chardonnay and pinot noir are planted exclusively. Vines are planted on predominately south facing slopes, with soil types dictating which varietals are grown where.

Ataraxia’s vineyards are nestled in the slopes of Babel’s Tower mountain range. Elevation on site ranges from 358 to 399 meters (1,174 to 1,309 feet) above sea level. The soils that make up the Hemel-en-Aarde area can be traced back more than 100 million years. 14 types are found on the Ataraxia property, including Sandstone, Cape Granite and Bokkeveld Shale, derived from the deposits of Table Mountain.

The Ataraxia farm is situated within the Hemel-en-Aarde region of the Walker Bay area. West of Cape Agulhas, Africa’s southernmost tip, Hemel-en-Aarde is Afrikaans for “heaven and earth” and lies close to the Atlantic Ocean. The valley is orientated on an east/west axis and approximately 35 kilometres (22 miles) long. The mild maritime climate allows the grapes to have a longer hang time and is ideal for making elegant, refined wines.

Ataraxia
Chardonnay
Available in Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Contact us for more details.

Vintage

2016

Varietal

100% Chardonnay

Origin

Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Country

South Africa

Wine Making Notes

Shale soils and the cool maritime climate of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge allows the grapes to have a long hang-time. After harvest this wine is 100% barrel fermented and carefully matured in 24% new and 76% second fill for 10 months with fortnightly batonnage.

Tasting Notes

The result is a Chardonnay that is New World in origin but Old World in style. A chiselled, focused wine that effortlessly manages to be both subtle and intense. The mineral acidity is beautifully balanced by a subtle intensity of fruit. Classic length, creaminess and intriguing complexity define this stylish, world-class Chardonnay.

Food Pairing

Roasted chicken or seafood, pasta dishes made with cream or cheese, with Asian dishes that include coconut milk, or even with spicy curries.

Aging Recommendations

Up to 10 years

Analysis

Alcohol: 12.84%
TA: 7.1g/l
RS: 1.9g/l
pH: 3.2

Ataraxia
Pinot Noir
Available in Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Contact us for more details.

Vintage

2016

Varietal

100% Pinot Noir

Origin

Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Country

South Africa

Wine Making Notes

The 2015 harvest was dryer, but not hotter, than usual, resulting in some of the healthiest, best quality fruit ever to arrive at the cellar door. Grapes were hand-picked, sorted, destemmed and gently crushed at the cellar. A 10 day pre-fermentation cold soak period in open fermenters was followed by a temperature-controlled ferment, for a total cuvaison of 22 days. The cap was gently punched down twice-a-day during fermentation. The wine was then pressed and racked to French oak barrels, 22% of which were new. After undergoing malolactic fermentation the wine aged in barrels for 11 months before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The nose offers up a fine blend of red cherries, pomegranate, delicate forest floor and a hint of spice and new oak. The palate is a complex balanced expression of the nose, with good depth, a long finish and soft velvety tannins.

Food Pairing

Kevin considers this his ultimate food wine and suggests pairing with duck, roasted pork with herbs, salmon, mushroom with pasta or risotto, coq au vin, and rare beef.

Aging Recommendations

Up to 10 years

Analysis

Alcohol: 13.09%
TA: 5.6g/l
RS: 2.31g/l
pH: 3.58

Ataraxia
Serenity
Available in Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Contact us for more details.

Vintage

2018

Varietal

Pinot Noir, Cinsault & Pinotage

Origin

Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Country

South Africa

Wine Making Notes

Despite the dry conditions that prevailed for most of the growing season, temperatures remained temperate during the final months leading up to harvest. The smaller berries that resulted from these dry conditions have produced this wine. Fruit was sourced from carefully selected vineyard sites. The three cultivars were handpicked, sorted and crushed into open fermenters. Here they each underwent cold maceration on their skins for seven to ten days before fermentation commenced. At completion of their ferment, each batch was pressed off separately to barrel where malolactic fermentation took place. Careful maturation in tight-grain French oak barriques, 20% of which were new, for a period of 11 months.

Tasting Notes

This is a truly South African blend of Pinotage and its parents. A vibrant nose with hints of red berry fruit and intriguing mineral and spicy notes. Mouth-watering and polished grape tannins are wrapped in an elegant structure that subtly occupies all corners of one’s palate.

Food Pairing

Beef short ribs with red wine, poultry, and lamb.

Aging Recommendations

Drink now up to 10 years after vintage.

Analysis

Alcohol: 13.31%
TA: 5.2g/l
RS: 2.24g/l
pH: 3.45

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