Technical Analysis
Paul Cluver are the biggest single Riesling grower in South Africa. For this, grapes are left on the vines to ripen and botrytis is allowed to flourish.
Tasting note
This wine is an explosion of dried fruit flavours and hints of frangipani notes on the nose. The palate is exciting and vibrant, dried apricots and dried pineapple flavours are very expressive and there is great play between the sweetness and racy acidity on the palate. This is a hall mark of a great sweet wine as it does not leave a sweet and cloying sensation in the mouth, but rather of freshness and balance.
Vintage conditions
After a cold winter with higher-than-average rainfall, good growing conditions led to the 21 harvest. Spring and summer were cooler than the previous vintage. The moderate day and cool night temperatures were ideal for the development of flavour and retaining high natural acidities. 42 mm of rain fell in the first half of March which created prefect conditions for the development of Botrytis. Riesling grapes with signs of Botrytis development were left to further concentrate the berries. The Noble rot grapes were harvested mid April, at 40.8 °Brix
Vinification details
A second stage of bunch and berry sorting occurs at the cellar to ensure that no sour rot is processed with the Botrytis infected grapes. Following skin contact for two days the berries were pressed, and juice settled at 5° Celsius for two days. Fermentation is controlled at 14°-16 ° Celsius over a period of 10 weeks after which, the wine was stabilized and filtered.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Platter: 5*
DWWA & IWC: Gold
Technical Analysis
Paul Cluver are the biggest single Riesling grower in South Africa. For this, grapes are left on the vines to ripen and botrytis is allowed to flourish.
Tasting note
Sensational aromas of apricots, dried pineapple and honey notes that dance on the palate. The divine mouthfeel has a delightful viscosity and great balance with a zesty finish due to fresh acidity.
Vintage conditions
The classic Elgin cloud blanket of moist weather was followed by a drier period, creating the perfect conditions for the development of partially-raisined botrytis grapes. Bunch sorting was done in the vineyard to selected only botrytis bunches. Harvest took place on 27th March with the Noble Late Harvest grapes coming in at 35.3° Brix.
Vinification details
Once the grapes arrived at the cellar they were spread out on the sorting tables for both bunch and berry sorting to ensure only the best botrytis fruit was selected. Following skin contact, berries were pressed, and juice settled at 5° Celsius for two days. Fermentation was controlled at 14°-16°C over a period of eight weeks.
Technical Analysis
Paul Cluver are the biggest single Riesling grower in South Africa. For this, grapes are left on the vines to ripen and botrytis is allowed to flourish.
Tasting note
A nose and palate of fresh pineapple, marmalade, kumquat and honey characters. The mouthfeel is beautifully balanced and full with a fresh acidity; long and lingering.
Vinification details
Grapes were left on the vines to ripen and botrytis allowed to flourish; bunch sorting took place in the vineyard to eliminate any traces of sour rot. Harvest took place on 20th March and 13th April, with grapes coming in at 35° Brix. A second stage of sorting occured at the cellar to ensure that no sour rot is processed with the botrytis-infected grapes. Following skin contact, berries were pressed and juice settled at 5°C for two days. Fermentation was controlled at 14°-16°C over a period of eight weeks.
