Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2014

Again a good South African white wine. Have been quite surprised by the elegance and restrained of the wines I`ve drinked lately. This Elgin valley Chradonnay I actually remember tasting many years ago. And it did leave an impression then. So decided to give it another go.

Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay
13.50%
15e (Wine-Searcher)

Balance is everything!
This feels like a musical miniature. Form, content and expression are beautifully in balance here. Minerality is like a steady Cello legato underneath, giving everything a liberating pulse.
Palate is full bodied but not heavy; quite pristine actually, fresh and playful, with strong and fine acidity. There`s also a nice savory edge to it. Hmm, I just can`t get over the musicality. A polyphonic wine. Really disciplined and elevating finish, collecting all the themes to a long and meditative ending. The use of oak is in perfection.
Persistent, lingering aftertaste. Creme brulee, toasted caramel, baked apples, lemon.
Gracefully powerful Chardonnay!
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Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2013

Jean Marc Brocard
Chablis - Premier Cru
2013
AC Chablis Premier Cru
12,5%
31€ (36$) Wine-searcher average price


I don`t drink Chablis wines that often, I`m not sure actually why, because It`s in most cases The Chardonnay wine that I prefer, and a white wine style that I really like in general, with other not too oaked white Burgundies. Yes, the prices are probably the major problem. I haven`t really found yet many Village level Chablis (one step below Premier cru) that are that exiting, or values. When compared to e.g. Rieslings, let`s say from Alsace or Germany, you can get inspirational quality, with just 10-20 euros. But nevertheless I really adore a good Chablis, it´s just that Burgundy is Burgundy, a hit-and-miss labyrinth, but a labyrinth where you can find also wonderful gems..


I was a bit concerned of the 2013 vintage, as it`s supposedly all over the place. But was plesantly surprised.
Aromas of green apple, hint of honey, some chalkyness, white pepper. Fresh and appealing.
Medium bodied, dry. Nice accidity, but surely not over the top. Elegant structure. Good, and focused fruit. Pear, green apple peel, lemon. Delicious, and focused finish with a crisp, intense green apple, quite chalky and steely. Beautifully lingering aftertaste, with some goût de pierre à fusil...
Excellent Chablis!
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