Paul Cluver - Sauvignon blanc, Elgin - 2019 (750ml)

Wine Composition

88% Sauvignon blanc, 12% Semillon

Winemakers Comments

The color is clear and bright, with a hint of green. The nose is clean and fresh with expressive granadilla, gooseberry and black currant characteristics. These flavours follow through onto the palate which has a lovely creamy texture – the result of extended lees contact and the higher Semillon portion.

Awards

Alcohol Percentage

13.50%

TA

6.8 g/l

pH

3.28

RS

4.2 g/l

Vineyards/Vintage

15.3 hectares are under Sauvignon blanc, which equates to 23% of the total plantings of Paul Cluver Wines. Vines range in age from 5 to 16 years. The first plantings were in 1993, the latest in 2004. French and New Zealand clones have been planted (316, 317, 242, 159, 11 and 215) providing a range of characteristic flavours including tropical fruit, fig and green pepper. The soil is predominantly Bokkeveld shale. Slopes are of various aspects but mostly South and South East facing. Vineyards range in height from 280m to 480m above sea level.

Cellar Techniques

The aim is elegance, balance and expression of terroir. Vintage conditions and the quality of the grapes dictate decisions made in the cellar - there are no fixed rules or recipes that are followed. Dry ice is used abundantly. Skin contact prior to fermentation is done to extract flavor and reduce acidity - duration varies. Pressing is always gentle. Only free run juice is fermented. Different yeast strains were tried out this year and the lees stirring regime increased adding richness to the mid-palate. Total time on fine lees was five months. The Semillon component was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks, 3nd and 4th fill French oak barrels and a 2600 l Oak vat.

Winemaker

Name - Andries Burger

Winery

This family-owned, family-run wine business is located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, approximately 70km south-east of Cape Town. The property has been in ownership of the Cluver Family since 1896. Recognised as pioneers of wine in the area, the focus is on producing elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir.
The wine business forms part of 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.