Press / Trade

Dave McIntyre – Washington Post

Wine Enthusiast

Ataraxia 2015 Pinot Noir (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge), March 2019

Ataraxia 2016 Chardonnay (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge), March 2019

Where to Find the Best South African Wine, February 2019

2018 ABID Conference

Digital People Are Real People Too, Alyssa Wolf, Featured Speaker

Why Importers Need to Know Their Producers?, Alyssa & Ian Wolf, Featured Interview, ABID Newsletter

Swirl Suite Podcast

Alyssa Wolf, Featured Guest, May 2018

Ataraxia

Ratings & Reviews

2018 Neal Martin, South Africa Report
2017 Chardonnay – 95+
“Kevin’s Chardonnay has always been the standout for me, unequivocally one of the best in South Africa and very Burgundian in style, seriously up there at Premier Cru level.”

2018 Tim Atkin, South Africa Report
2017 Chardonnay – 95+

2017 Tim Atkin, South Africa Report
2016 Chardonnay – Wine of the Year, 96 Points
Kevin Grant is a Chardonnay wizard who seems to have an innate feel for the variety. This is even better than the 2015 (and there aren’t many wines that can be said of), showing a lovely combination of spicy oak, mid-palate texture, citrus-like acidity and a long, mealy finish. A Cape Chardonnay with Burgundian levels of complexity. 2018-24

2015 Pinot Noir – 91 Points
The second official release of Ataraxia Pinot (previous vintages were sold at the cellar door) confirms the promise of the 2014. Pale in colour, minty and refreshing, with plenty of perfume and light-bodied red cherry and pomegranate flavours. 2017-19

2017 (April), Decanter
2015 Chardonnay – 96 Points
Tim Atkin MW, John Hoskins MW & Greg Sherwood MW, Top South African Chardonnay Tasted

2017 Wine Advocate South Africa Report
2016 Sauvignon Blanc – 91 Points
2015 Chardonnay – 93 Points
2015 Pinot Noir – 92 Points
2015 Serenity – 91 Points
“As I have mentioned in previous reports, South Africa has a dynamic wine industry, one whose tectonic plates appear to be shifting every 12 months. It is a country and an industry of contrast and contradictions: black and white, rich and poor, tradition and enterprise; wines that are unquestionably world-class down to wines that go straight down the sink. South Africa is everything in between. What this report focuses upon are the quality-motivated producers, the ones that deserve attention.” – Neil Martin’s prologue to his South Africa Report 2017. (Neil included and rated all four of Ataraxia’s wines in his report – an admirable achievement.)

2016 Platters
2014 Chardonnay – 4.5 stars
“Barrel ferment & 9 months oak (26% new) make for a toasty entry on youthful 14 otherwise showing similar taut, chiselled restraint to 13, same full citrus profile.”

Wine Enthusiast
2016 Chardonnay – 93 Points
2016 Pinot Noir – 92 Points
2015 Pinot Noir – 93 Points

Press Clips

Why You Should Be Drinking South African Chardonnay Town & Country, June 2017

South African Chardonnay – Panel Tasting Results Decanter, May 2017

The Best South African Wines Evening Standard, March 2017

Babylonstoren

Ratings & Reviews

2018 Rosé Rocks Awards
Double Gold

2018 Tim Atkin, South Africa Report
Mourvèdre Rosé – 90 points

2017 Tim Atkin, South Africa Report
2017 Chenin Blanc – 88 points
2017 Mourvèdre Rosé – 89 points
2016 Babel Red – 89 points

2017 Decanter World Wine Awards
2014 Nebukadnesar – Gold Medal (95/100)
2016 Mourvèdre Rosé – DWWA Silver Medal (90/100), IWC Bronze

2017 Platters
2016 Mourvèdre Rosé – 3 Stars
2015 Babel Red – 4 Stars
2014 Nebukadnesar – 4 Stars
2013 Nebukadnesar – 4 Stars
“Dominated by shiraz & cab, with Bordeaux quartet in attendance. Plenty red fruit, floral chard, supple yet fresh texture and fine-grained tannin. Still youthfully unsettled but full of potential.”

Press Clips

Try the Babylonstoren Babel, which might get you talking about the quality of South African wines, July 2019

Three Stars for Babylonstoren’s Rosé, April 2019

Conde Nast Into Africa, April 2017

DWWA Results, 2017

Cape Town Calling Afar, 2017

From Farm to Estate in Cape Town’s Winelands Forbes, February 2017

Eagles’ Nest

Ratings & Reviews

Shiraz Associate South Africa – Top 12
2013, 2013, 2014, 2015

2018 Platters
2017 Sauvignon Blanc – 5 stars
2014 Shiraz – 5 stars

2017 Platters
2015 Sauvignon Blanc – 4 Stars
“From two maritime vineyards 15 exudes green fig & capsicum, white peach & passionfruit, has striking acidity for seafood & butter sauces.”
2013 Shiraz – 4.5 Stars
“Elevated site plus close proximity to cooling ocean reflexed in 13’s light pepper-spice seasoning, restrained fruit & refreshing acidity. Smooth polished lines & property’s signature resonating length.”

2016 Platters
2012 Shiraz – 5 Stars
“Well-deserved maximum rating for brilliant 12, an unshowy but richly satisfying & complete wine echoes 11’s (4.5 Stars) dark berry fruit spiced with black pepper & scrub, smooth polished lines & the property’s hallmark – resonating length. Composed & lithe, with a great future.”

Wine Advocate
2015 Sauvignon Blanc – 89 Points
2014 Shiraz – 91 Points
2013 Shiraz – 93 Points

Tim Atkin SA Report
2015 Sauvignon Blanc – 90 Points
2014 Shiraz – 94 Points
2013 Shiraz – 94 Points
2012 Shiraz – 94 Points

Veritas Double Gold Medal
2014, 2013 & 2012 Shiraz

Shiraz Associate South Africa: Top 12
2013 & 2012 Shiraz

Press Clips

Shiraz Challenge awards announce Shiraz Stars for 2017 Biz Community, June 2017

Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2014 WineMag.co.za, May 2017

Kaapzicht

Ratings & Reviews

2017 Platters
2016 Chenin Blanc – 3.5 Stars
“Earliest-drinking of the chenins. Thanks to old bush vines 16 remains variety-true with quince & melon purity, focused acidity.” (2016 Chenin Blanc)
2013 Pinotage – 4.5 Stars
“Complex, with layers of fruit & savoury elements vying for attention, 13 shows Pinotage’s capabilities. Blueberries & plums, dried herbs & gunsmoke, muscular with a firm tannin core yet so delicious already.”

2016 Platters
2015 Chenin Blanc – 3.5 Stars
“Lovely fresh fruit on 15, lime & passionfruit, showing mouthwatering zesty intensity.”
2012 Pinotage – 4.5 Stars
“From bushvines. Intense blueberries & Morello cherries, an intriguing smoky nuance without making it darker, succulent fruit the hero in 12.”
2011 Pinotage – 4.5 Stars
“Perfectly judged oaking, a fine tannin structure for cellaring – but delicious already.”