How much? R180;
Where? Paul Cluver, a small principality in Elgin 27 (0)21 844 0605;
Why? This is not Alan Pick’s kind of Pinot. At a vertical tasting of Cluver Pinots in November, Sandton’s Mr. Meat pulled no punches: “South Africans are bold and brash. We want to be overwhelmed. We want grapes in a glass.” In which case the Chamonix 2007 is recommended, made by Gottfried Mocke, recently canonized into the Cape Winemakers Guild.
Those looking for subtlety will be happy with this floral, airy style wine. Someone called it “Vivaldi in a glass” but then it had been a long night. The most feminine of the wines in the lineup, winemaker Andries Burger has no doubts it will cellar well. “Elgin Pinot pH’s are usually in the range 3.2-3.3 as opposed to Hemel & Aarde which are usually over 3.5. pH is the key to the health of a wine, speaking of which, did you know that Pinot has ten times the resveratrol levels of Cabernet Sauvignon?”
Rating: *****
*****: Muhammad Ali
****: Baby Jake Matlala
***: Gerrie Coetzee
**: Kallie Knoetze
*: Jimmy Abbott