Iona Pinot Noir
A vibrant Red wine with perfumed rose, cherry, and strawberry notes, ideal with lamb
Iona Elgin Highlands Pinot Noir from Elgin, South Africa, is a still, dry Red wine crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. This vegan and vegetarian-friendly wine offers a perfumed nose of rose petals, black and red cherries, and strawberries, complemented by subtle spice notes. The palate is textured, succulent, and complex, with vibrant acidity and fine-grained chalky tannins leading to a long, savoury finish. Grapes were hand-harvested and cold-soaked before natural fermentation in open-top fermenters, followed by 15 months of maturation in 300L French oak barrels (20% new oak). This classic, focused Pinot Noir pairs exceptionally well with rich dishes such as Beef Bourginon with mushrooms or braised lamb shanks.
75.0CL , 13.5% ABV , Vintage: 2024
Vinification
lona winery uses organic practices in the cultivation of their wines. Minimal intervention whilst the grapes are growing with hand harvesting to select only the best grapes for the wines. Grapes were hand harvested into small crates and spent overnight in a cold room. Extensive bunch sorting by hand prior to destemming. Bunches were destemmed without crushing. Grapes were cold soaked for 5-7 days prior to the start of fermentation. Fermentation occurred naturally in open top fermenters. A combination of gentle punch downs and pump overs by hand 2 times per day, depending on requirements, were used during fermentation where the temperature peaked at 28°C. The wines were transferred to 300L French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation took place (20% new oak, the rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill). Maturation in oak was for 15 months, on the lees for the full period. After ageing for 15 months in barrel, the wines were racked and blended (50% Kroon, 50% Beeskamp) in stainless steel tank. The wines were clarified naturally for a period of 2 months before bottling.
Flavour profile
This classic Pinot Noir offers a perfumed nose of rose petals, black and red cherries, and strawberries, complemented by subtle spice notes. The palate is textured and succulent, revealing complex fruit flavours with vibrant acidity and a long, savoury finish.
Serving recommendation
Serve at 12-14°C, ideally decanted for an hour to allow its complex aromas to unfold.