Iona, Pinot Noir, Elgin, South Africa, 2018
Wine Safari 92 Points
Rich expressive aromatics rise out the glass with bold notes of stewed strawberries, winter black berry compote, savoury plums with a meaty, earthy edge. The palate is attractively rich, textured and dark fruited with an equal measure of earthy savoury spice and mixed red and black berry creamy elegance. Impressively complex, well balance and basically a wine crying out for a seductive food and wine matching. 92 Points, GS(MW), May 2022.
Wine Safari 92 Points
Rich expressive aromatics rise out the glass with bold notes of stewed strawberries, winter black berry compote, savoury plums with a meaty, earthy edge. The palate is attractively rich, textured and dark fruited with an equal measure of earthy savoury spice and mixed red and black berry creamy elegance. Impressively complex, well balance and basically a wine crying out for a seductive food and wine matching. 92 Points, GS(MW), May 2022.
Wine Safari 92 Points
Rich expressive aromatics rise out the glass with bold notes of stewed strawberries, winter black berry compote, savoury plums with a meaty, earthy edge. The palate is attractively rich, textured and dark fruited with an equal measure of earthy savoury spice and mixed red and black berry creamy elegance. Impressively complex, well balance and basically a wine crying out for a seductive food and wine matching. 92 Points, GS(MW), May 2022.
Producer Profile
At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape.
In a country where cool climate vineyards are like gold dust, these vineyards are veritable nuggets. There is an extremely long growing season, allowing Andrew to create wines with complex flavours and a fresh, elegant style. The approach is hands off and the land is farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices with a particular focus on ensuring the health of the soils whilst pests are kept under control by the resident flock of geese that roam the vineyards.
Viticulture
Iona winery uses organic practices in the cultivation of their wines. Minimal intervention whilst the grapes are growing with hand harvesting to select only the best grapes for the wines.
Winemaking
The grapes were berry selected on a sorting table, destemmend and gently crushed. The must fermented in stainless steel tanks at 28°C, with regular punch downs during the fermentation. After malolactic fermentation, the wine matures for 12-14 months in 300 litre French oak barrels with 25% new.
