Winemaker 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.
For pairing, fish, poultry, pork, and game bird dishes all pair superbly. It works particularly well with creamy pasta and salmon dishes. Mussel soup is a perfect match. The good acidity and balance of wood and fruit keep the wine from being overly rich and, consequently, it's great without food, too.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2020 Chardonnay Paul Cluver Estate is from three different sites, the fruit whole bunch pressed, aged in 25% new oak. It has a pretty lime and citrus peel bouquet with hints of apricot. The palate is well balanced with orange rind and fresh pear, nicely focused and the oak nicely integrated on the finish. There is a clear qualitative difference between this and the Village Chardonnay. Very fine.
Within this unique environment exists virgin land some 400-500m above sea level with a variety of soils, aspects and microclimates. The high, cool Elgin Mountain plateau, with its close proximity to the sea and protection by the mountins, is idealy situated for the production of premium varietal wines. this provides the ideal environment for slower ripening grapes of finess and delicacy that characterise Paul Cluver Wines.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
This high-elevation, cool-climate district, nestled into the ancient sandstone Hottentots Holland Mountains, traditionally was apple orchard land. Today Elgin is also a source of exceptional Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir.