The latest in an impressive run of outstanding Chardonnays from this top Elgin estate.
Tim Atkin MW
Seven Flags Chardonnay, Paul Cluver
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018 is a great combination between elegance and concentration. The wine shows a light hay hue and the nose is expressive with notes of fresh citrus zest complemented by stone fruit and hints of oak. The palate is an exciting combination of crisp citrus fruit with great complexity, concentration and hints of oak in the background. The wine is elegant with a long and lingering finish.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.2 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
1.8 g/L
pH
3.29
ACIDITY
6.4 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Andries Burger
VARIETY
Chardonnay
TIME IN OAK
9 months
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Partial
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Elgin
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
The very cool night temperatures experienced in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness leading up to harvest, which for the Seven Flags Chardonnay took place on 5th and 8th March.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 30% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. A small proportion of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Awards
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Decanter: 94 pts
DWWA: Platinum
IWC: Gold & Trophy ‘Best Elgin Chardonnay’
Platter: 4.5*
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
... lovely weight and remarkable precision and palate length. Brilliant winemaking.
Tim Atkin MWSeven Flags Chardonnay, Paul Cluver
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
The wine shows a slight green hue, while the nose is a melody of fresh citrus fruit with some winter melon and hints of oak in the background. The palate is an exciting combination of citrus fruit with great poise, concentration, a great salinity and hints of oak in the background.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.2 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
1.3 g/L
pH
3.33
ACIDITY
6.3 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Andries Burger
VARIETY
Chardonnay
HARVEST DATE
March 2017
FINED USING
Isinglass
TIME IN OAK
9 months
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Partial
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Elgin
VEGETARIAN
No
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
With the Western Cape being in a three-year drought, the summer leading to the 2017 harvest will be remembered as one of the driest. Fortunately, the very cool night temperatures in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness. The fruit for the Seven Flags Chardonnay was harvested on the 6th and 7th March from the estate’s oldest Chardonnay vineyards planted in 1987.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 35% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a much lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. Only 30% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without inoculation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Awards
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
IWC: Silver
DWWA: Silver
IWSC: Silver Outstanding
Vinous: 93 pts
Jamie Goode: 95 pts
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
This wine combines site and barrel selection. It is the ultimate expression of the estate’s terroir - the culmination of dedication to the practice of viticulture and wine making.
Andries Burger (winemaker)Seven Flags Chardonnay, Paul Cluver
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Buttered toast/brioche on the nose with some citrus notes of tangerine fruit and citrus blossom, with hints of vanilla pod and ruby grapefruit at the end. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity lifts the fruit, give the wine lovely freshness, poise and focus.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.6 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.3 g/L
pH
3.24
ACIDITY
6.8 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Andries Burger
VARIETY
Chardonnay
HARVEST DATE
March 2016
FINED USING
Isinglass
TIME IN OAK
9 months
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Partial
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Elgin
Vintage conditions
After a dry winter the summer leading to the 2016 harvest will be remembered as one of the driest in the Western Cape, it was also the earliest harvest experienced at the estate. Fortunately, the very cool night temperatures in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 28% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a much lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. Only 10% 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
DWWA 2017: Platinum and Trophy ‘Best Chardonnay’
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
Platter: 4.5*
IWSC 2017: Silver Outstanding
IWC 2017: Silver
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss