Ataraxia Chardonnay

Grown on our clay-rich, stony, low-vigour Bokkeveld Shale soils, this wine is more an interpretation of these soils than of the Chardonnay cultivar itself. Made using the centuries-old Burgundian hyper-oxidative “black” method, it is an unapologetically wooded, yet seamlessly integrated wine, possessing an impressive ageing potential.   Ataraxia Chardonnays are made with complete deference to expressing our terroir over trying to conjure an expression of the grape itself through winemaking alchemy. In the quest for accuracy of this expression, spontaneous fermentation comprised part of a minimalist, non-interventionist winemaking approach. This wine is 100% barrel fermented and matured in specially selected small French oak barriques sourced exclusively from Burgundian coopers.   The result is a Chardonnay that is New World in provenance but Old World in stylistic leaning. Athletic in structure, it effortlessly manages to be both subtle and intense. An assertive mineral acidity is beautifully balanced by a compelling intensity of fruit. A stylish, world-class Chardonnay.