Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay 2021

90 pts – John Szabo, Wine Align

Elgin is South Africa’s smallest and coolest wine region. It is becoming increasingly known for crafting elegant, stylish and affordable Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Like the region these grapes hail from, Burgundy, Elgin wines are bright and vibrant with plenty of mouth-watering acidity – ideal for enjoyment in summer’s warmth.  Paul Cluver is unquestionably the region’s flag bearer, focusing on Burgundian-styled wines with depth, character and balance.  The wine business forms only part of the larger holistic farming business called ‘De Rust Estate’.  In addition to the vineyards and cellar, there are apple and pear orchards, a Hereford stud and eco-tourism activities, including amphitheatre concerts, on the farm.  This 2000+ hectare estate forms part of the UNESCO world heritage site, the Kogelberg Biosphere.  Half of the estate has been set aside for conservation into perpetuity.

The 2020 Village Chardonnay aims to replicate village-level White Burgundy. It is sourced from a blend of several estate blocks planted in 1987.  The soil here is predominantly decomposed Bokkeveld shale with underlying clay and the elevation ranges between 320 and 385 meters above sea level.  After a spontaneous ferment, the wine ages on its lees in large French foudres for 7 months prior to bottling.  This great expression of lightly-oaked, cool-climate Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of Granny Smith apple, lemon zest, flint and a hint of vanilla.  On the palate, the acids are zesty and mouthwatering, but there’s ample weight and depth to support them.  Enjoy with grilled poultry, cedar-plank salmon or alongside cheese and charcuterie before a meal.

12 bottles per case (Includes HST).