A dry vintage with lush fruit and softer natural acidities. Perfectly ripe Sauvignon Blanc fermented with wild yeast in large wood format results in an array of complexity.
Elgin Highlands
2024 Elgin Highlands Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc
R310.00
Perfectly ripe Sauvignon Blanc fermented with wild yeast in large wood format results in an array of complexity: textured, multi-layered with minerality, salinity, blackcurrant, white stone fruits, a rich palate and long zesty finish. A dry vintage with lush fruit and softer natural acidities.
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Description
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Accolades
Accolades
TIM ATKIN MW 2025 SOUTH AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT [ 93/100 ]
MIGUEL CHAN [ 96/100 ]
“Made from Sauvignon Blanc fermented with indigenous wild yeasts in large oak barrels results in an incredibly complex expression of this cultivar. Cool climate Elgin is indeed a true home for this variety and this 2022 expression is a rich, bold interpretation with aromatics packed with ripe heady, savoury aromatics of lemon biscuits and savoury lees, delicate black currant leaf, mint leaf and mojito syrup before rock salt, fresh fennel root and bruised green mango nuances. The palate is intense, focused, and incredibly vibrant, simply brimming with a delicious sweet and sour acidity, sweet gooseberry, stem ginger and finishing with a delicately grassy, fig preserve complexity. The richness and glycerol, textured mouthfeel is to die for and the finish, so long you lose sight of it crossing the finishing line. Savoury and slightly wild, this wine opens up a proverbial pandora’s box of exoticism, intrigue and excitement for the Sauvignon Blanc cultivar. Drink now on release and over the next 5 to 8+ years.”
GREG SHERWOOD MW [95/100]
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, GILBERT & GAILLARD INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE [ 93/100 ]
“Natural ferment / 11 months in 500L older oak, beautifully and subtly integrated, adds a seductive toasted hazelnut nuance to fresh green fruit from 3 clones and 4 vineyards with varying aspects. Richer than sibling but balanced by vibrant acid. Long finish.”
PLATTER’S WINE GUIDE [ 4½ stars – 94/100 ]
PREVIOUS VINTAGES
TIM ATKIN MW 2023 SOUTH AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT [ 93/100 ]
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Technical Details
Technical Details
ALCOHOL 13.3% RESIDUAL SUGAR 2.4 g/l TOTAL ACIDITY 6.9 g/l PH 3.1 -
Winemaking
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. The juice was settled for 12 hours before being racked to 500L French oak barrels. Fermentation was spontaneous and the temperature was kept between 18-22°C. Sémillon brings further complexity and enhances the mid palate weight of the wine. The wine was aged for 11 months in barrel, before it was racked and blended in stainless steel tanks. The blend spent a further 3 months in a stainless steel tank to allow for natural clarification and stabilisation before bottling.
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Vintage Notes
Vintage Notes
The 2024 season was characterised by two main factors, record-breaking winter rainfall persisting into September and notable heat spikes in January and February. The winter months provided us with good rainfall and cold average minimum temperatures which pushed our vines into deep dormancy. Spring got off to a cold and wet start, which led to budbreak being about a week to 2 weeks later than previous years. The remainder of the growing phase from October to December 2023 was drier than normal. Later flowering was aided by the warmer weather, but windy conditions during this period led to the forming of smaller bunches and berries. January and February experienced notably heat spikes.
Proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean and altitude are the two main factors contributing to making Iona one of the coolest vineyards sites in the country. So, while we experience excessive heat spikes during this period, our vines were still busy going through veraison and the warmer drier weather help the bunches to go through veraison quickly, leading to the maturity of the berries being more even. The quality of the grapes that arrived at the cellar were exceptional. Smaller bunches and berries contributed to wines with lovely flavour and concentration and the resulting wines are showing beautiful expressive fruit, with lovely fruit concentration and bright acidities, giving the wine great vibrancy and tension.
