Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut vertical

Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge property Domaine des Dieux was established in 2002 by business partners Sharon Parnell and Peter Clarke (who also owns La Vierge). Now, Sharon’s daughter Megan and her husband Shane Mullis are increasingly involved in the general management of the farm – there are some 20ha under vine, this made up of 7ha of Pinot Noir and 4ha of Chardonnay as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and various other varieties.

Over the years, the property has earned acclaim for its Brut Cap Classique called Claudia after Megan’s older sister. Domaine des Dieux doesn’t have a cellar nor a dedicated winemaker but has opted to rent space and use the services of various high-profile consultants.

Megan recently hosted a vertical of some of the stand-out vintages that are going to be packaged in a six-bottle mixed case in time for the festive season (selling price between R2 500 and R3 000 per set). Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Claudia Brut 2009
90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir. 69 months on the lees. Amber in colour. Subtle and enticing tertiary nots of biscuit and liquorice. The palate is mellow and well balanced with creamy texture and a gently savoury finish. Alc: 11.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Claudia Brut 2010
81% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Noir.  69 months on the lees. Amber in colour. Bruised apple, orange and some black cherry plus nutty, earthy notes on the nose. Rich with a soft mousse, perhaps lacking some drive relative to the other wines in the collection. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Claudia Brut 2011
79% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Noir. 84 months on the lees. Pale straw in colour. Pear, peach, lemon and apple on the nose while the palate is lean and fresh with a fine mousse, the finish long and dry. Poised and still remarkably youthful. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Claudia Brut 2012
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. 66 months on the lees. Honey, liquorice and earth on the nose – maybe some orange as well but primary fruit has generally faded. Rich and full on the palate with layers of flavour, a good line of acidity lending balance. Alc: 11.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Claudia Brut 2016
76% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir. 75 months on the lees. Straw in colour. Complex aromatics of citrus, peach and red cherry plus a hint of biscuit and some leesy complexity. The palate is pure and focussed with punchy acidity and a fine mousse, the finish dry. This has a tension about it that suggest good maturation potential. Alc: 11%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Claudia Brut 2017
Current release. Price: R320 a bottle.
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. 54 months on the lees. Ctirus, peach, freshly baked bread and a hint of reduction on the nose. The palate is well balanced with good weight, nicely integrated acidity and a creamy mousse, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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