Iona Solace Syrah 2021  £26.66

IONA SOLACE SYRAH 

For owners Andrew and Rozy, Iona is a project of sheer passion. Ionas site includes the coolest vineyards in the Cape. In terms of style and climate it is 420m above sea-level rising high above the picturesque Elgin Valley. An extremely long growing season, harvesting up to 2 months after Stellenbosch results in diverse, complex flavours and uniquely fresh and elegant wines. The philosophy at Iona is to make wine that expresses the soils and climate as closely as possible, making use of sustainable farming methods and to maximise the use of natural products in farming and winemaking, with the Solace Syrah being made completely naturally.

From a single vineyard site on Brocha soils, planted with two different Syrah clones and a south-facing aspect the Solace Syrah is hand-picked and de-stemmed before crushing. No S02 is used at crushing after which it goes through a natural fermentation with 2 punch downs a day. Grapes spend 21 days on skin before being pressed and racked into 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill 500L French oak barrels where it spends 14 Months

The result is a wine with red berry fruit, full of spice, white pepper and floral notes. Supple, intense palate with fine tannin matched by plenty of fruit.

Try with Braised lamb and blue cheese pecorino with rosemary and sundried tomato gremolata.

2021 Not yet reviewed, this is what they said about the 2017..

94 Points Platters Guide

A distinct nod to the northern Rhône on elegant 2017 from 2 parcels of older Brocha (farm) syrah, showing white pepper & lovely fruit purity. Natural ferment of whole berries & 12% whole bunches adds depth & freshness to streamlined tannin structure. Older oak well-judged.

Wine tasted by Meryl Weaver.