The Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay is a great expression of what both Elgin and the the Paul Cluver Estate can produce. Just like its Pinot Noir partner, the Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay undergoes both vineyard and barrel selection, in a quest by Paul Cluver to create the ultimate expression of the variety. The 2021 vintage shows a light-yellow green hue, and the nose is expressive with notes of fresh citrus zest which is complemented by stone fruit and hints of oak. The palate is an exciting combination of crisp citrus fruit with great complexity, concentration, and hints of oak in the background. The wine is elegant with a long and lingering finish.
Grapes for the Seven Flags are selected from the oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Paul Cluver Estate and in the Elgin Valley, planted in 1987. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, settled without any settling agents. The juice was then transferred to barrel for fermentation, which is a 100% non-inoculated fermentation in a selection of French oak barrels. (35% new, 45% 2nd and the rest 3rd fill.) Regular lees stirring was done and the wine remained on the lees for a total of 9 months without any sulphur addition. Paul Cluver like to retain as much of the natural acidity as possible which gives great freshness to the wine, thus avoiding malolactic fermentation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels; stabilized and prepared for bottling.
Food pairing: Fish, poultry, pork and game bird dishes work well with this wine. It works particularly well with creamy pastas and salmon dishes. The good acidity and balance between wood and fruit keeps the wine from being overly rich and consequently, great without food too. Mussel soup is a perfect match.
Alcohol: 12.52% ABV
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