Experience a classic Chardonnay, boasting luscious aromas of lemon verbena, cling peaches, yellow citrus peel, orange blossoms, and freshly baked bread. It’s a captivating sensory encounter that truly showcases the rich character of this elegant wine.
As you immerse in tasting, the wine reveals a myriad of stone fruit flavors. The rich and creamy texture is balanced with a bright acidity. Grapefruit adds to the palate and yeasty undertones intrigue further. A lingering blend of lemon, lime, and white peach concludes the tasting experience.
As you immerse in tasting, the wine reveals a myriad of stone fruit flavors. The rich and creamy texture is balanced with a bright acidity. Grapefruit adds to the palate and yeasty undertones intrigue further. A lingering blend of lemon, lime, and white peach concludes the tasting experience.
Winter conditions were excellent, characterized by above-average cold units. Although smaller than the record crop of 2021, this vintage still boasts an above-average yield and quality. The season was extremely drawn out with several challenges, but sufficient irrigation water remedied the situation.
The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and transferred to French oak barrels (20% new and the balance made up of 2nd and 3rd fill oak) where it underwent alcoholic fermentation without the addition of cultured yeasts. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place in all the barrels. Matured in oak for a total period of 12 months, with lees stirring once a week to enhance the texture. Aged in bottle for a further 6 months prior to its release.
Winemaker: Martin Smith
Wine of Origin: Robertson
Age of Vines: 17 years
Irrigation: Supplemental/drip
Soil Type: Limestone
Production Volume: 1200 bottles
The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and transferred to French oak barrels (20% new and the balance made up of 2nd and 3rd fill oak) where it underwent alcoholic fermentation without the addition of cultured yeasts. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place in all the barrels. Matured in oak for a total period of 12 months, with lees stirring once a week to enhance the texture. Aged in bottle for a further 6 months prior to its release.
Winemaker: Martin Smith
Wine of Origin: Robertson
Age of Vines: 17 years
Irrigation: Supplemental/drip
Soil Type: Limestone
Production Volume: 1200 bottles
Martin Smith is his family’s third-generation winemaker. After completing his studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural College outside Stellenbosch, he moved abroad and worked in California for ten years, honing his skills in the production of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Upon his return, he was appointed as the winemaker for one of South Africa’s biggest luxury wine brands, Vilafonté, before starting Paserene Wines in Franschhoek where he is still the co-owner and winemaker. His wife Welma’s studies were followed by a trip to another “holy grail” of winemaking, France, where she pursued her dreams of becoming a sommelier at the World Sommelier Academy of Bordeaux. Forever the student of wine, she is also currently enrolled for her WSET Diploma.
Their mutual love for Chardonnay and Bordeaux-type red varieties was one of the main catalysts that eventually brought them together, as both varieties complement the various paths, work experiences and education they have chosen. They are the custodians and first-generation winemakers of Atlas Swift, and with that comes an immense responsibility that they carry on their shoulders, just like Atlas, the Titan of old.
The Smiths gracefully accept this responsibility, and together with their love for South African soil, they are determined and committed to producing wines of the highest caliber.”
Upon his return, he was appointed as the winemaker for one of South Africa’s biggest luxury wine brands, Vilafonté, before starting Paserene Wines in Franschhoek where he is still the co-owner and winemaker. His wife Welma’s studies were followed by a trip to another “holy grail” of winemaking, France, where she pursued her dreams of becoming a sommelier at the World Sommelier Academy of Bordeaux. Forever the student of wine, she is also currently enrolled for her WSET Diploma.
Their mutual love for Chardonnay and Bordeaux-type red varieties was one of the main catalysts that eventually brought them together, as both varieties complement the various paths, work experiences and education they have chosen. They are the custodians and first-generation winemakers of Atlas Swift, and with that comes an immense responsibility that they carry on their shoulders, just like Atlas, the Titan of old.
The Smiths gracefully accept this responsibility, and together with their love for South African soil, they are determined and committed to producing wines of the highest caliber.”
