Atraxia Chardonnay

Tasting Note

This soil-driven Chardonnay is New World in provenance but Old World in stylistic leaning. Iteffortlessly manages to be both subtle and intense. It is vibrant and spicy, with alluring creamy and vanilla notes from well integrated oak ageing. 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.

Producer

Located in the Hemel-en-Aarde on petrified sand dunes, Ataraxia was founded in 2004 by husband and wife team Kevin and Hanli Grant. A former Zoologist, Kevin spent years getting to know the intricacies of Hemel-en-Aarde`s terroir as head winemaker of Hamilton Russel.

Ataraxia is a deeply personal project for Kevin. along with some dear friends, he purchased 50 hectares of prime vineyard land in an exceptional landscape, known as `The Skyfields`. Nestled on this commanding rise beneath the soaring Babylons Toren mountain range, the vineyards are planted on some of the most spectacular terroir South Africa has to offer.
Kevins approach to winemaking is minimalist and non-interventionist, geared to reflect a sense of place and expression of terroir. There are fourteen soil types on Ataraxia derived from the deposits of Table Mountain Sandstone, Cape Granite and Bokkeveld Shale. Collectively, these deposits make up the geology of the Hemel-en-Aarde area and can be traced back more than 1000 million years. This means they are cultivating some of the most ancient soils on Earth.

After nearly two decades nurturing this special place, Kevin continues to make wines of incredible finesse, balance and depth with great international acclaim.

Ataraxia Chardonnay – Hay Wines