|
Paul Cluver Wines are grown on De Rust, one of the largest and oldest
estates in the Elgin Valley. The Estate, an hours drive from Cape Town,
falls within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve where conservation and sustainable
use of natural resources are pursued with the ultimate goal of balance
and harmony between man and nature. The Estate, bought in 1896 by Dr Clüver's
great-grandfather, to provide summer grazing for livestock, houses the
first cellar to be established in the Elgin Valley.
The cool climate of this wine-growing area has the potential to provide
slow ripening grapes with resultant delicate aromas and fruit character
similar to that of Burgundy. Careful site selection and soil analysis
led to the first plantings of noble varietals in 1986. Originally planted
with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Weisser Riesling,
the estate in the early 1990's saw the augmentation of new clone Cabernet
Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Mindful of the management of quality from vineyard
to bottle, a small, made to measure cellar was erected with the focus
being on hand crafted premium quality wines.
With regards to this particular wine, only the best quality grapes in
two different blocks of Gewurztraminer vineyards are used. The harvesting
date is not only determent by chemical analysis but also by taste, this
is done to ensure that we harvest at the optimum ripeness level. In the
cellar we do not follow a recipe, decisions are made on an ongoing bases
to ensure that we make the best possible wine in each vintage.
The result : a great Gewürztraminer that has typical litchi flavours
with rose petals and honeysuckle on the nose, which carries through to
the palate. The mouth feel is big with a lovely long aftertaste and clean
finish. This wine is extremely aromatic with beautiful floral flavors
and with the slight bit of sugar on the wine, it is a natural partner
with spicy food – be it Asian or just something with chilli in it.
It also does very well with any wine with coconut milk in it. But don’t
try and limit at that – try it with white meat (fish, poultry and
pork), salads, vegetable dishes or on it’s own.
Jean’s Thoughts
Coming from a part of the world which produces amazing Gewurtztraminer
(Alsace), I often find it difficult to find some good ones in SA. Either
they're too sweet or lacking in fruit. I must say however, that the Cluver
family have produced a well balanced wine here . Whilst the palate is
fruity, you don't feel as if you're eating a bowl of sugar either! Very
close to a European Gewurtztraminer. Well done!
Brendon’s Thoughts
The cool climate of Elgin is very evident in the making of this Gewurtz
… it is off dry with good fruit flavours. This is most definitely
a favourite food wine of mine. Well done Andries!
At Caveau: R 100.00 per bottle
|
about 
