Paul Clüver Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Shine at Top 100/National Wine Challenge

Top Image: Owner Paul Cluver with Cellarmaster Andries Burger

Paul Clüver Wines, the pioneering Elgin estate owned and managed by the Clüver family, was one of the leading performers at this year’s Top 100 SA Wines/National Wine Challenge, delivering four Top 100 & Double Platinum awards with three Grand Cru National Champion Awards for wines adjudged Best in their Class. 

Top 100/Double Platinum awards went to Paul Clüver Sauvignon Blanc 2021; Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020; Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017 and Noble Late Harvest 2021. The Grand Cru National Champion accolades for Best in Class were awarded to Paul Clüver Sauvignon Blanc 2021; Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020 and Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017.

Cellarmaster Andries Burger says the results exceeded his wildest expectations. “Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are two of South Africa’s most competitive wine categories in a time where our winemakers are reaching new levels of quality with these magical varieties,” he says. “To see this recognition for our wines acknowledges the vision of Dr Paul Clüver and his team in creating the Elgin Wine Valley 35 years ago and thereby founding a region that has made an immense contribution to the Cape’s wine offering,” he says.

“Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were among the first varieties to be planted on Paul Clüver Estate in the late 1980’s, largely on an experimental basis. Now, more than three decades later the cool climate terroir has proven Elgin to be one of South Africa’s most unique and attractive wine regions for fine winemaking. This is underscored by the recognition at this year’s Top 100/National Wine Awards and is a tribute to all parties involved – the visionary experimentalists, the viticulturists and the wine-making teams who had the task of doing justice to Elgin fruit by making wines worthy of this most magical place with its extraordinary vineyard sites.”

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay holds a special place in Burger’s heart, making this year’s Top 100 and Grand Cru Best in Class Awards for Paul Clüver’s Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020 and Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017 an achievement accepted with honour and pride.

“Despite having 26 harvests under my belt at Paul Clüver, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay demand a lifetime of commitment and focus,” he says. “With the Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017 – our top Pinot Noir offering – I feel that we are now well on our way in creating a legendary South African wine from this royal Burgundian variety that can take pride of place on the global stage. As far as the Chardonnay is concerned, Paul Clüver is proud to be at the forefront of the Cape’s Chardonnay category which is garnering acclaim around the world for its quality and the diverse varietal expression of various South African sites.

“Acknowledgement for these wines in light of the high standard of Cape wines that are improving in quality year-upon-year is a great honour and a tribute to the whole Paul Clüver team and, of course, our cool-climate terroir.”