The Estate Chardonnay 2021 from pioneering Elgin producer Paul Clüver Family Wines achieved a top five star-rating in the 2024 Platter’s Guide, the leading communication platform on the quality proposition of South African wine.
Now in its 44th year of publication, Platter’s this year judged over 8 000 wines from some 900 producers for its 2024 Guide, with 226 wines garnering five star-recognition.
Paul Clüver Jnr, MD of Paul Clüver Family Wines, says Platter’s continues to lead the way in recognising exceptional Cape wines and a five star-rating is always a highly commendable achievement.
“Chardonnay has become one of the Cape’s strongest wine categories as producers, spurred by their successes as well as local and international acclaim, are continually making better Chardonnay,” says Clüver. “Having planted the first commercial Chardonnay vineyards in Elgin 36 years ago, Paul Clüver Family Wines sees the latest five star-accolade from Platter’s as an underscoring of our commitment to this noble Burgundian variety and the role we have played in providing and promoting Chardonnay excellence in Elgin and the rest of South Africa.”
Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021 is made from vineyards set on the estate and are on average over 20 years old. Planted on elevated sites between 320m and 385m above sea-level, the cool climate terroir includes the farm’s famous Bokkeveld shale and clay soils.
Once harvested the grapes are placed in cold-storage overnight before whole-bunch pressing commences. The juice settles, also overnight, without settling agents before being transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. Wild fermentation is done in a selection of French oak barrels. (26% new,26% 2nd and the rest 3rd and 4th fill.) Minimal lees stirring was done to ensure brightness and energy in the wine which remained on the lees for nine months.
Andries Burger, Paul Clüver Family Wines cellarmaster, says the 2021 vintage in Elgin was close to perfect. “After a cold winter with higher-than-average rainfall we experienced great growing conditions leading to the 2021 harvest,” he says. “Spring and summer were cooler with 190 hours more under 10°C than the previous vintage. The moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures were ideal for the development of flavour and retaining high natural acidities in the grapes.
Harvesting of our 2021 Chardonnay grapes started on the 15th of February, with the last grapes being harvested the 30th of March. Picking in the early hours of the morning, grapes are cooled overnight in cold storage to ensure optimal quality. Grapes were harvested between 21-23.5 ° Brix.”
Andries says the 2021 Estate Chardonnay can be described as classic Elgin and distinctively Paul Clüver. “The wine has presence and length, is textured and multi-layered,” he says. “But at the core lies a life-affirming bright acidity allowing the fruit, floral nuances to harness themselves and make for a complete Chardonnay experience. And I am sure this wine will age to a greater thing of beauty over the next decade.”