Iona, Kroon Pinot Noir, Elgin, South Africa, 2018

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

The Kroon Vineyard with its ferrocrete soil, is the highest vineyard on Iona's land. Grapes were selected from the a single south facing vineyard, with lower solar radiation of 4800wh/m2.

Winemaking

Grapes were hand harvested into small crates and spend onvernight in a cold room. Extensive bunch sorting by hand prior to destemming occurred. Bunches are destemmed without crushing, with 8% whole bunch for complexity. Grapes cold soaked for 5-7 days prior to the start of fermentation. Fermentation occured naturally in open top fermenters. A combination of gentle punchdowns and pumpovers by hand 2 times per day, depending on requirements were used during fermentation where temperature peaks at 32°C. The wines were tranferred to 500L and 300L French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation took place (18% new wood, the rest 2nd, 3rd and4th fill) Maturation in oak was for 12 months and on the lees for the full period. After ageing for 12 months in barrel, the wines were racked and blended in stainless steel tanks. The wine were clarified naturally for 2 months before bottling.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 Months
Type: French 500L
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 18

Tasting Note

This is a generous and voluptuous Pinot with charming velvety tannins.

Food Matching

Beef Wellington. Roast pork with herbs and fennel.

Awards

Jancis Robinson 17 Points
Kroon = crown, so the highest point on the farm, 450 m. Alluvial and decomposed Table Mountain sandstone and iron on clay. Lively and fresh and juicy. 17 Points, JR, April 2022.