Estate Chardonnay

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.

Currently there are 15.32 hectares planted to Chardonnay on the estate, which equates to 18.7% of the total plantings. Clones include 175, 270, 95 and 548. The first vines were planted in 1987 and the youngest blocks in 2004. Vines range in age from 8 to 25 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.

The wine was fermented from start in a selection of 20% new, the rest 2nd; 3rd and 4th fill French Oak.

This wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels. (20% new, the rest 2nd; 3rd and 4th fill.) Lees stirring was done to a much lesser degree than previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any Sulphur addition. 40% 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.

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.