If, like us, you have a thirst for something new this week, Ataraxia’s 2022 Skin Contact Chardonnay is anything but ordinary. It’s the most exciting wine we’ve tasted from this producer in quite some time! For easy drinking on the stoep this autumn, look no further than the newly released Migliarina Grenache Noir, or try the brilliant Suañé 2018 white blend from Riojan new wave producer, Alonso & Pedrajo. The 100-point Smith Haut Lafitte 2020 is a taste of perfection – ‘absolutely pure gold’ says Jeb Dunnuck – and at R200, and bursting with flavour, Anselmo Mendes’ Tinto Pardusco 2022 should be in everyone’s glass this April.
Ataraxia Skin Contact Chardonnay 2022
R 650 PER BOTTLE
‘Fermented on skins for 20 days, with a 23% whole bunch component, this is an intriguing take on Chardonnay by Kevin Grant,’ says Tim Atkin MW. The wine is made in an oxidative style with no new oak and will thrill the new-wave Chardonnay follower. It’s fresh and mineral on the palate, yet lithe, salty and has a long, driven finish. An impressive white wine that should last for decades.
Migliarina Grenache 2022
R 210 PER BOTTLE
We’ve been waiting for this release since we tasted it with Carsten Migliarina last year. Showing beautiful aromatics of sea kelp and raspberries with texture to boot, this light and bright wine ticks all the boxes. Pair it with roasted whole fish or Cantonese beef – it sings next to classic Asian flavours.
Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Rouge 2020
R 3,100 PER BOTTLE
Smith Haut Lafitte ranks among the top wines of Bordeaux in 2020. Quite New World in its presentation, it’s also packaged with a black and gold label to commemorate the Cathiard family’s time at the property. ‘Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines,’ concludes Jeb Dunnuck, giving the 2020 a perfect 100-point score. Only two 3-bottle cases left.
SOLD OUT
Alonso & Pedrajo Suañé Blanco Reserva 2018
R 595 PER BOTTLE
Perfect for autumn, try this brilliant white blend of 75% Viura and 25% Sauvignon Blanc from one of Rioja’s new wave producers. Ten days on skins gives you spiced apple and quince notes, with an incredible taste and texture – it’s citrussy and mineral with fine, chalky tannins on the finish. We’ve rarely seen so much complexity and personality in a glass
Anselmo Mendes Tinto Pardusco 2022
R 200 PER BOTTLE
We imported the Pardusco last year for the first time and it flew off the shelves! This lighter red blend of ancient Portuguese varieties is on the money. Spicy and stony, it explodes with red berries and finishes supple and fresh. Historically in the Vinho Verde region, Pardusco was the name given to light-coloured reds with low alcohol, which travelled and aged well.
