2018 Ataraxia Serenity Red, Western Cape Coast, South Africa

A vibrant nose with hints of red berry fruit and intriguing mineral and spicy notes. Mouth-watering and polished grape tannins are wrapped in an elegant structure that subtly occupies all corners of one’s palate. Cherry and raspberry aromas with clove spice and vanilla, this slips down with a whisper of suggestions and is utterly mesmerising. Like fresh baked pie traveling on the breeze.

53% Pinotage, 25% Cinsaut, 22% Pinot Noir

A unique South African blend of a signature grape for the country, Pinotage, and its parents, Pinot Noir and Cinsault, this is light ruby in color and boasts lovely earthy aromatics of forest floor, red cherry, mentholated berry, red currant, pomegranate and a touch of cocoa. The palate is similarly light and ethereal, with a delicacy and juiciness that begs for thoughtful warm-weather enjoyment thanks to lively, mouthwatering waves of bright cherry and currant fruits and just a touch of cocoa decadence on the back. It's incredibly smashable now but should also hold well over the medium term. — Lauren Buzzeo 92pts- WE

The only raison d’etre of any blend is to express a style of wine. Blends are expressions of “where from” rather than “what from”. Ataraxia’s Serenity blend quietly exudes the confidence to whisper style through the expression of unique sites rather than shout brashness through winemaking excesses.

The nose offers up a fine blend of red cherries, pomegranate, delicate forest floor and a hint of spice and new oak. The palate is a complex balanced expression of the nose, with good depth, a long finish and soft velvety tannins. The Ataraxia farm is situated within the Hemel-en-Aarde region of the Walker Bay area. West of Cape Agulhas, Africa’s southernmost tip, Hemel-en-Aarde is Afrikaans for “heaven and earth” and lies close to the Atlantic Ocean. The valley is orientated on an east/west axis and approximately 35 kilometres (22 miles) long. The mild maritime climate allows the grapes to have a longer hang time and is ideal for making elegant, refined wines.