Technical Analysis
The first plantings of Chardonnay at Paul Cluver date from 1987, just a year after the Cluver family established the vineyards at the De Rust farm, and in doing so becoming the first winery in Elgin.
Tasting note
On the nose, this wine shows great citrus aspects with ripe orange and winter melon notes in the background. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and a slight salinity on the taste. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity is natural, and adds poise and focus to the wine.
Vintage conditions
After a cold winter, higher-than-average rainfall were experienced with great growing conditions leading to the 2021harvest. Spring and summer were cooler with 190 hours more under 10°C than the previous vintage. The moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures were ideal for the development of flavour and retaining high natural acidities in the grapes. Harvesting of the 2021 Chardonnay grapes started on the 15th of February, with the last grapes being harvested the 30th of March. Picking in the early hours of the morning, grapes are cooled overnight in cold storage to ensure optimal quality. Grapes were harvested between 21-23.5 ° Brix
Vinification details
Grapes were whole bunch pressed, and settled naturally overnight without settling agents, before the juice was transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels (26% new, 26% second, with the remainder in 3rd and 4th fill). Minimal lees stirring was done to ensure brightness and energy in the wine. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
Vinous: 90 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
IWC: Gold
DWWA: Silver
Technical Analysis
The first plantings of Chardonnay at Paul Cluver date from 1987, just a year after the Cluver family established the vineyards at the De Rust farm, and in doing so becoming the first winery in Elgin.
Tasting note
On the nose, this wine shows great citrus character with ripe orange and winter melon notes, against lightly toasted brioche. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and a slight salinity. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity is natural, and adds poise and focus to the wine.
Vintage conditions
The growing season of the vines, prior and during to the 2020 harvest, consisted of moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures which was ideal for the development of quality grapes. More than average rain fell in October 2019 and January 2020 which benefited the vineyards greatly. Harvesting Chardonnay commenced on the 31st of January and finished the 11th of March.
Vinification details
Grapes were whole bunch pressed, and settled naturally overnight without settling agents, before the juice was transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels (20% new, with the remainder in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill). It remained on the lees, with stirring, for 9 months without any sulphur addition. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
Platter: 94 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 93 pts
DWWA: Silver
Drinks Business: Gold
Technical Analysis
The first plantings of Chardonnay at Paul Cluver date from 1987, just a year after the Cluver family established the vineyards at the De Rust farm, and in doing so becoming the first winery in Elgin.
Tasting note
This beautiful Chardonnay with aromas of fresh citrus and mineral notes with some light toasted brioche in the background. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and almond flakes. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity is natural, and adds poise and focus to the wine.
Vintage conditions
Weather conditions leading to the 2019 harvest were dry, but fortunately not warmer than normal. The Elgin valley, where the estate is situated, has quite a big diurnal difference due to the altitude and proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, thus the evenings were cool and days moderate during harvest. Harvesting Chardonnay started on the 6th of February and finished the 8th of March. Fortunately, due to the cool night temperatures in Elgin the grapes retain freshness and high natural acidity. Picking of the grapes took place in the early hours of the morning and stored in cold storage overnight to ensure optimal quality.
Vinification details
Grapes were whole bunch pressed, settled naturally overnight without settling agents before the juice was transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. (20% new,36% 2nd fill and the rest 3rd- and 4th fill.) To retain freshness in the Chardonnay occasional lees stirring was done, the wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised, and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 93 pts
Plater: 4.5*
Technical Analysis
The first plantings of Chardonnay at Paul Cluver date from 1987, just a year after the Cluver family established the vineyards at the De Rust farm, and in doing so becoming the first winery in Elgin.
Tasting note
The wine shows a light hay hue in colour, with citrus, some stone fruit and oak notes on the nose. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and almond flakes. The palate is an exciting combination of crisp citrus fruit with great complexity and concentration. The balanced, fresh acidity is natural, and adds focus to the wine.
Vintage conditions
Weather conditions leading to the 2018 harvest were dry but not warm. The first Chardonnay was harvested on 16th February and the last on 8th March. The very cool night temperatures experienced in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness.
Vinification details
This wine was made from a 100% non-inoculated fermentation in a selection of French oak barrels (33% new, the rest 2nd; 3rd and 4th fill). Lees stirring was done and the wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months. Only 38% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without inoculation, further ensuring freshness and acidity. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Technical Analysis
The first plantings of Chardonnay at Paul Cluver date from 1987, just a year after the Cluver family established the vineyards at the De Rust farm, and in doing so becoming the first winery in Elgin.
Tasting note
On the nose this wine shows citrus and winter melon notes with some lightly toasted brioche in the background. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and almond flakes. These characteristics follow through onto the palate where the fine, fresh acidity is natural, and adds poise and focus to the wine.
Vintage conditions
After a dry winter the summer leading to the 2017 harvest will be remembered as one of the driest in the Western Cape. Harvest of Chardonnay started on 22nd February and finished on 10th March. The very cool night temperatures experienced in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness.
Vinification details
This wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels (30% new, the rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill.) Lees stirring was done and the wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any addition of sulphur. Only 25% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without inoculation, further ensuring freshness and acidity. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 92 pts
Decanter: 91 pts
IWC 2018: Silver
DWWA 2018: Silver
IWSC 2018: Silver
