"Andrew and Rozy Gunn’s Sauvignon Blanc is refreshingly crisp but feels very pure, elegant and clean with plenty of minerality and lots of juicy green fruit.
Aidan Bell: “ Lovely soft, broad nose. Refreshing and tight with excellent density and weight with nice length.”"
Andrew's vineyards are located in The Highlands, a unique sub-region of Elgin on the saddle between two peaks, which is virtually exclusive to Iona. The uniquely elegant and mineral driven Sauvignon Blanc grown here in The Highlands is a true benchmark for South Africa and has won Iona many loyal followers from around the world.
The vineyards are on a mountain plateau 420 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In a country where cool sites are precious, these vineyards are like gold dust - the grapes ripening up to two months later than other Cape vineyards and in perfect balance. Iona is South Africa's coolest vineyard site.
“Of all the jumps in quality as you rise up the price scale of wine, none is more noticeable than the one that takes you from the £6 average to around a tenner, as is amply demonstrated in this taut, electric sauvignon blanc from the lush cool-climate Elgin, with its verdant charm, racy acidity and effortless juiciness.”
David Williams, The Observer
“Cool customer with lovely smooth texture. Very definitely more in the mineral spectrum than the green fruit spectrum. Great palate impact. Bone dry finish. Well done!”
17/20 Jancis Robinson MW
“Nettley and rather French, this is a Sauvignon with refinement and a rather cool charm.”“One of my favourite Cape sauvignons, with so much classic, elegant, lively, floral, nettle and white currant fruit that it will shock even the French. “
Jane MacQuitty, The Times
Cool-climate Elgin is a real contrast to the opulent wine estates of the Cape, being much more rustic, rugged and agricultural. There’s a real sense that grape growing is an integral part of the local economy, alongside bountiful citrus groves and apple orchards. Many of the up and coming producers have planted vines in mountainous terrain and their grapes are thriving in a climate somewhere between Sancerre and Bordeaux.
Iona’s vineyards are planted on a former apple farm and benefit from alluvial soils and a warmer summer and autumn than France. This allows later picking than many South African estates, sometimes up to 8 weeks later. Each soil type and aspect of the Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are matched with different clones to ensure the endless flavours of the variety are captured. These flavours are retained in the cellar, with each block being vinified separately. An important component is the addition of 4% Sémillon which enhances the mid-palate weight and complexity of the wine. Stirring of the lees brings texture and a tiny percentage is barrel-fermented.
