Demonstrating its versatility, the pioneering wine estate Paul Clüver Family Wines in Elgin has secured a coveted FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc SA award. Amid a competitive field of 161 entries, the Paul Clüver Sauvignon Blanc 2022 earned its place among the ten finest selections in the exclusive wine competition dedicated solely to South African Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s inclusion in this year’s Top 10 lineup underscores its distinction as one of the country’s premier offerings in this category.
While Paul Clüver Family Wines is renowned for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, earning accolades both domestically and abroad, it has also earned recognition as a trailblazer in cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from the Elgin region. Since 1990, the estate has cultivated this variety on the resilient Bokkeveld Shale soils that define its terroir.
According to Andries Burger, the cellarmaster at Paul Clüver Family Wines, Elgin’s cool climate makes it an ideal environment for Sauvignon Blanc. “This grape variety thrives when exposed to a cooler growing season, allowing it to best showcase its intricate aromatic profiles and flavors,” explains Burger. “It’s no wonder that Sauvignon Blanc was chosen for planting here more than three decades ago. The plants flourish in the significant temperature differences between day and night, coupled with the refreshing southerly breezes that characterize the growing season from spring to early autumn. Our Bokkeveld Shale soils, with their moisture-retentive clay substrata, offer exceptional drainage and nutrient delivery to the vines.”
Burger underscores the significance of gentle grape handling and delicate pressing in crafting the distinctive Paul Clüver Sauvignon Blanc. “Sauvignon Blanc is a delicate grape with a multifaceted spectrum of flavors and aromas,” he emphasizes. “In the winery, our efforts are focused on preserving this sensory harmony, as any disruption can lead to a loss of precision and balance in the wine, detracting from the grape’s renowned clarity of expression.”
To enhance the wine’s complexity, a 10% component of Sémillon is integrated into the Sauvignon Blanc, contributing to body and mid-palate richness. Of this Sémillon portion, half undergoes fermentation and aging in large 2,500-liter wooden foudrés.
Burger elaborates, “Crafting Sauvignon Blanc offers a brief and relatively uncomplicated process, designed to capture the essence of terroir. Following fermentation, the wine matures for three and a half months at controlled temperatures on its lees, enhancing its texture and mouthfeel. Apart from the modest Sémillon inclusion, no wood is employed, ensuring pristine clarity in the wine. This approach maintains the freshness and vivacity that have established Sauvignon Blanc as South Africa’s quintessential white wine variety among consumers.”
Beyond these distinct Sauvignon Blanc characteristics, Paul Clüver’s rendition of the variety reveals notes of passion fruit and gooseberry, with a discernible mineral presence culminating in a long, refreshing finish.
