Iona Highlands Pinot Noir 2022
Grape Varietals & Region: 100% Pinot Noir from the Elgin Highliands of South Africa
Taste Profile: Perfumed with a floral nose of rose petals, black and red cherries, strawberries and underlying spice notes. The palate is textured, succulent and complex, with a long savoury finish. Vibrant acidity and fine grained chalky tannins make this a powerful and exceptional age worthy wine. This is classic, focussed Pinot Noir.
Winemaking Process: Grapes were hand harvested & selected, followed by destemming & cold soak for 5-7 days before fermentation in open top fermenters, where it underwent a mixture of pumpovers & punchdowns. The wine was then transferred to 500L and 300L French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation took place (20% new wood, the rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill). Maturation in oak was for 12 months, on the lees for the full period. After ageing for 12 months in barrel, the wines were racked and blended (47% Kloof, 36% Kroon, 17% Beeskamp) in stainless steel tank. The wines were clarified naturally for a period of 2 months before bottling.