South African Sauvignon Blanc for the Ages

Iona, a Loverly Glass of 87 Point Sauvignon Blanc

Iona

2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Elgin (Hermanus/Cape of Good Hope)

South Africa

13.5%

WS 87

WA 90

$14.99, The Wine Bin, Ellicott City

WWW.IONA.CO.ZA

“Owned by Andrew Gunn who named his estate after a Scottish island, Iona is hidden down a long dirt track in Elgin and its long incline gives a good idea of their high altitude (450m) vineyards, affording a spectacular view across the valley. Here they exploit the long growing season to create relatively low alcohol wines brimming with poise and tension.”

Iona 2010 Sauvignon Blanc 90 Points

-Wine Advocate

For my money, this $15 sauvignon blanc is worth the experiment/experience. I think that Cupcake is making a stronger wine from New Zealand grapes, but this one is fun and interesting. I mean, how often do you get to put a bottle from a remote part of South Africa on your table or on your patio for summer?

The back label has some interesting notes I thought I’d share as well, “Freshly chopped pears, tropical fruits, nettles, and wet stones, introduce this pure and precise highly regarded Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa’s coolest region…”

When I went for a visit in 2010, Iona was just up the hill about 40 minutes from the Westin in Hermanus. It’s a drive straight up on a rocky, dusty road, so you want to make sure you are the only one on the road and your windows are rolled all the way up!

Watch Tom Cannavan’s review of wine-pages.com here:

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