Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2021 & 2020
- Producer: Paul Cluver Wines
- Region: Elgin, Western Cape
- Country: South Africa
- Abv: 13%
- Vintage: 2021
- Closure: Screwcap
- Medal: Gold
Fourth generation winegrowers based in Elgin, Paul Cluver Family Wines continues the vision of patriarch Dr. Paul Cluver, producing exceptional, long-lived wines from their own vineyards. This estate Chardonnay is medium lemon-yellow in hue, showing ripe orchard fruits with cream, butter and gentle toasty oak. Quince and pineapple come through on the rounded palate supported by brisk acidity. Quite full-bodied, the wine has a long sappy, savoury finish. Perfect for grilled swordfish steaks with fresh herb butter.(Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
- Producer: Paul Cluver Wines
- Region: Elgin, Western Cape
- Country: South Africa
- Abv: 13%
- Vintage: 2020
- Closure: Screwcap
- Medal: Gold
Elgin is nestled among the Hottentots-Holland Mountains near to the oceans with exposure to the cool breezes from the south, and so the region produces cool climate wines. This Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay shows extra complexity due to an additional year of ageing in bottle. Yet, the wine is surprisingly youthful with a pale lemon-green colour and delicate green fruits, white flower and lifted vanilla pod and brioche. Light-bodied, the palate has racy acidity, excellent definition and a delicate touch of spice on the long finish. Perfect with Dover sole or Oysters Rockefeller where the wine’s zingy acidity plays the high notes and the gentle smoky oak the low notes.
(Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
