This is a fabulous Chardonnay from South African winemaking star, Kevin Grant. His wines are highly regarded for their minimalist, non-interventionist winemaking style. This 2022 Chardonnay is a world-class South African barrel-fermented Chardonnay.
In the glass, it is subtle yet intense, with hints of sun-warmed tropical fruits, gentle peach and vanilla. Fresh on entry with crisp acidity, subtle tropical notes and neatly integrated toasty oakiness. A New World wine in provenance but Old World in stylistic leaning.
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, Ataraxia have crafted an astonishing and arrestingly authentic wine interpretation of a terroir ideally suited to Chardonnay.
