Ataraxia Pinot Noir 2017
The Wine:
Pale ruby that’s just shy of garnet. A to-die-for medium+ nose that’s all the pretty pot pourri, musk, damp earth and wet leaves, fresh bright raspberries and cherries, a touch of herbal fynbos, light smoke, some umami and leather, and even caramel.
Dry, medium bodied, high acidity, light barely there well integrated tannins...and a mouthful of delicious dusty earth, warm spices and crunchy red berries that make you reluctant to end the journey by swallowing. I’ve no doubt that I’d pick up on many more notes as the wine is exposed to more oxygen. But work calls!
Balance (1) + Length (1) + Intensity (1) + Complexity (½) = A very good wine.
Drink now, but suitable for further ageing.
Vini + Viti:
100% Pinot Noir grown on stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld Shale derived soils that control vine vigour. They are one of the last wineries to be picked in Hemel-en-Aarde due to their later ripening. The grapes are picked into small crates, sorted, destemmed and gently crushed in the cellar.
Pre-fermentation cold soaking for 10 days in open fermenters, followed by temperature controlled fermentation with gentle punch downs twice daily. The wines are then pressed into French oak - 22% new oak and malolactic conversion takes place before being aged in 225L French oak barrels for 11 months.
Final Thoughts:
I’m guilty of not having popped in at the Ataraxia tasting room...our wine squad still haven’t figured out the best way to maximise Hermanus over a weekend. But I can tell you that I briefly met the owners and they are delightful. They’re the kind of people you wish were your friends.
Many many thanks to Hemel-enfor sending this Pinot and allowing me to join today’s celebrations. I’ve been reading through their wonderfully written insert, and realise that I’d never fully browsed their super informative website. That’s because I’m usually headed straight to their Pinot Noir Celebration page...it’s a bucket list event for Pinot lovers who travel across the globe to attend this fabulous event.
Happy Pinot Noir Day, everyone. And don’t forget to add the Pinot Noir Celebration to your bucket lists!
