Paul Cluver - Chardonnay Estate 2020 | Monsieur Touton Selection

Food pairing

Fish, poultry, pork and game bird dishes work well with this wine. It works particularly well with creamy pastas and salmon dishes. The good acidity and balance between wood and fruit keeps the wine from being overly rich and consequently, great without food too. Mussel soup is a perfect match.

Tasting notes

On the nose this wine shows great citrus aspects and winter melon 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.

Vineyard

Currently there are 13.7 hectares planted to Chardonnay on the estate, which equates to 18.2% of the total plantings. Clones include 76, 95 175, 270, 548 and 1066. The first vines were planted in 1987 and the youngest blocks in 2016. Vines range in age from 2 to 31 years. The soil is predominantly decomposed Bokkeveld Shale with underlying clay layers of varying depths. Vine orientation is East/West on the South east facing slopes and North/South on the South- South West facing slopes. Height above sea level ranges from 280 to 350 meters.

Vinification

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 Sulphur addition. 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, stabilized and prepared for bottling.

Estate

The Paul Cluver estate is a 4th generation family business that has been farming in the Elgin Valley for more than 120 years. They are proud to have pioneered Elgin as a premium wine growing region. With a focus is on producing world class wines that reflect the uniqueness of the valley. They strive to achieve this while being mindful of their actions both on the environment and on the community. Their wines are a benchmark of the region.

South Africa Cape South Coast Elgin