Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Aug 15, 2017
- 2 min read
About the farm:
Iona is situated in Elgin, a cool-climate region. Elgin is traditionally known as an apple-growing region, but has gained popularity for its wines over the past couple of years. The cool-climate allows for the grapes to ripen a bit later compared to other regions. The long ripening period results in the development of intense concentrated flavours.
Iona was started by Andrew Gunn (an engineer by trade), who moved to Elgin from Johannesburg in 1997. The farm was originally an apple farm, but did not yield the required profits. The farm is 420m above sea level – making it the coolest vineyard in the Cape. It was thought to be ideal for growing for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (to name only a few).
Iona is a gem to visit. It has fantastic views of the Elgin valley and feels somewhat secluded and private. I also have a soft spot for Rhodesian Ridgebacks… The staff is passionate about the farm, and this shines through when they present the wines in a tasting. The tasting room has a unique “vibe” when compared to other wine farms, as Andrew’s classic car collection is also on display. This is a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
About the wine:
The wine has a pale yellowish colour and contains 4% Semillon (often used as a blending grape in Sauvignon Blanc). The Semillon enhances the mid-palate weight and complexity of the wine.
It has herbal and floral aromas with fragrances of white grapefruit, tropical fruit, gooseberry and kiwi-fruit. On the palate, one can experience green apples and lime marmalade. The wine also has good minerality and a lengthy finish.
This Sauvignon Blanc is ideally paired with acidic food, seafood, salads and tomato based sauces.
I enjoy drinking this wine anytime of the year and would recommend it to any white- or red wine enthusiast. This wine caters for both the novice and seasoned wine drinker, as it is easy-drinking, yet full of “layers” and complexity. It is great wines like this, that put Elgin on the map competing with any other top-rated region!
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