Estate Chardonnay

Fish, poultry, pork and game bird dishes work well with this wine. It pairs 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.

Currently we have 14.4 hectares planted to Chardonnay on the estate, which equates to 19.2% of the total plantings. Clones include 9, 76, 95,96' 175, 270, 548 and 1066. The first vines were planted in 1987 and the youngest vineyards in 2017. Vines range in age from 5 to 35 years. The soil is predominantly decomposed Bokkeveld Shale with underlying clay at varying depths. Vines are planted on East, South east and South- South West facing slopes. Height above sea level; 320 to 385 meters.

Grapes were whole-bunch pressed, settled naturally overnight without settling agents before the juice was transferred to French oak barrels and concrete egg for fermentation. This wine was wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels. (12% new, 20% 2nd; and the rest 3rd and 4th fill.) 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.

Paul Cluver Wines is a family owned and family run winery focused on producing world class wines that reflect the uniqueness of the cool-climate Elgin terroir. The family is proud to have pioneered the Elgin appellation and for being a leader in sustainable farming.