Clos Malverne MCC Ellie 2011

Silliness inducing.

“White makes you think of silly things, red wine makes you talk of silly things but bubbly makes you do silly things,” says Suzanne Coetzee, winemaker at Clos Malverne in Stellenbosch.

Nothing too silly happened at the launch of the first ever Clos Malverne Méthode Cap Classique. Called Ellie in honour of the mother of Sophia Pritchard, wife of Seymour, who together own the property, the wine is a rosé from 100% Shiraz.

Pale copper in colour, it shows surprisingly pure fruit despite two and a half years on the lees. Clean and correct with a fine mousse, bright acidity and a nicely dry finish. Perfectly likeable but I thought the R178 a bottle asking price was a bit steep.

Score: 86/100.