• Wine Advocate Jamie Goode 91 Points

Iona Sauvignon Blanc

Another knockout white from South Africa.

Iona's Sauvignon Blanc has been a regular hit since 1998 when the winemaker started planting the popular grape. The nose on this wine is incredibly fruity with intense grapefruit and gooseberry stealing the limelight. Slightly herbal and floral notes are also present, and the palate is well-balanced showing fresh citrussy flavours with a great minerality and length.

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.

The dry, cool conditions at the beginning of the season, result in concentrated fruit, with intense flavour, while late rains and typical cold Elgin winter nourishing the vineyards and this allows to pick fruit at optimal ripeness, with low alcohol levels and pH's and balanced acidities.

Read More Show Less Aromas Styles
£17.49

Style

  • 4/5

    Acidity

  • 1/5

    Tannin

  • 1/5

    Sweetness

  • Medium

    Alcohol

  • Light

    Body

Aromas

  • Apple

  • Lime

  • Floral

  • Herbs

Details

More Information
Wine TypeWhite wine
ClosureScrew Cap
Alc. Vol13%
RegionElgin
CountrySouth Africa
Grape VarietalSauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Oak Length4 Months
Oak TypeFrench Oak

Tivoli Wine Customer Reviews

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white grape variety that is best known for producing dry wines with distinctive herbaceous (grass, green pepper, asparagus) and floral (blossom) aromas and refreshing high acidity. Originating in France’s Loire Valley, it is now grown around the world, offering a variety of styles. Fruit flavours vary according to ripeness, from apple and gooseberry to melon, peach and passionfruit. Occasionally, Sauvignon Blanc is aged in oak (Fumé Blanc), offering a more creamy palate. 

Sauvignon Blanc is the only grape variety permitted in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, two appellations of the Loire Valley, and they’re known to have notes of wet stones. Sauvignon Blanc is also found in Bordeaux, where it’s typically blended with Sémillon.

The hallmark Sauvignon Blanc region in New Zealand is Marlborough; bell pepper, gooseberry and passionfruit are common, alongside more vegetal aromas of tomato stalks, rich citrus, and freshly cut grass.

Other good examples can be found in Australia’s Margaret River and Adelaide Hills, Chile’s Casablanca Valley, Elgin and Constantia in South Africa, and California’s Napa Valley.