Historical reviews

2015 CHARDONNAY:

Wine Analysis
Alcohol % : 14 %
pH : 3,48
Total acidity : 5,7 g/l
RS : 2,4 g/l

Tasting Notes
An herbal pot-pourri of oregano, thyme and bay leaf announces the nose leads to toasted almond and buttered toast, laced with red fruits on the palate. The wine shows a muscular structure and is composed of balanced acidity and lively, layered tannins. It ends robust and earthy which indicates that it has great longevity.

2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON:

Wine Analysis
Alcohol % : 14 %
pH : 3,48
Total acidity : 5,7 g/l
RS : 2,4 g/l

Tasting Notes
An herbal pot-pourri of oregano, thyme and bay leaf announces the nose leads to toasted almond and buttered toast, laced with red fruits on the palate. The wine shows a muscular structure and is composed of balanced acidity and lively, layered tannins. It ends robust

2012 SYRAH:

Wine Analysis
Alcohol % : 14.5%
pH : 3.56
Total acidity : 5.80g/l
RS : 2.0g/l

Tasting Notes
The Oldenburg Syrah 2012 has an opaque crimson colour with flashes of black cherry. Red fruit, ripe plums and cherries describe the nose and hints of white pepper adds a dash of spice. The wood character is understated and shines through as an almond nuttiness, together with light butterscotch. The palate shows a definite muscularity. Firm, youthful tannins surround a mineral core and are punctuated by fleshiness and lively acidity.

Top Awards
Top 100 SA Wines 2015
2015 IWC Trophy Best SA Shiraz
2015 IWC Trophy Best Stellenbosch Shiraz

2013 RHODIUM:

Rhodium is an extremely rare metal. South Africa produces most of the world’s production. It is used in premium jewellery and as a catalyst for processes which are essentially sustainable. Rhodium embodies the attributes of this wine: it’s of South African origin, very low production and premium orientation.
The Rhodium 2013 is a blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Franc (15%) Petit Verdot (5%) and Malbec (5%) and produces an elegant and refined wine, expressive of its exceptional terroir.

Wine Analysis
Alcohol % : 14 %
pH : 3.56
Total acidity : 5.5 g/l
RS : 3.2 g/l
Total S02 : 95

Tasting Notes
Black fruit and mint introduces the nose of this multi-faceted wine with savoury undertones. Well-integrated oak shows as light caramel aromas with great understated power, beautiful elegance and raw finesse. The palate shows seductive minerality and delicious juiciness.

2015 CHENIN BLANC:

Wine Analysis
Alcohol % : 13.5%
pH : 3.37
Total acidity : 6.1g/l
RS : 2.3g/l

Tasting Notes
Light straw yellow colour. Tropical fruit especially granadilla and green apple dominates. The light oaking shows as a pleasant caramel biscuit flavour. Crisp acidity, succulent mouthfeel and a refreshing finish which lingers.

For orders contact: sales@riversideliquors.co.za

IONA WINES:

2016 SAUVINGON BLANC:

Our Sauvignon Blanc vineyards represent around 60% of the total plantings on Iona. The complexity of the wine is a tribute to the array of vineyard blocks from which the wine is produced. Some of the vineyards are trellised in an east-west direction, helping to produce the underlying herbal tones on the wine, while vineyards trellised north-south help us to provide ripeness and complexity.

We have been planting Sauvignon Blanc regularly from 1998 when the first vineyards were established, and currently there are 22 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc planted.

 TASTING NOTE

Fragrance of pure white grapefruit, intense tropical fruit, ripe gooseberry and fleshy kiwi fruit over-lay Iona’s distinctive herbal and floral undertones. The palate is keenly balanced showing cut green apples and lime marmalade followed by great minerality and length.

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

Each soil type and aspect of the Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are matched with different clones to ensure we capture the endless flavours of the variety in the vineyards. These are retained in the cellar, with each block being vinified separately, by following reductive practices and using yeasts Vin7, VL3 and X5.

The harvest of the Sauvignon Blanc stretched from March 13th to early April which provides a perfect, long ripening period to develop the intense concentrated flavours. An important component is the addition of 4% Sémillon which enhances the mid-palate weight and complexity of the wine. Stirring of the lees brings that unmistakable Iona texture.

TECHNICAL INFO

Alcohol: 13,3%
Residual sugar: 2 g/l
Total acid: 6,6 g/l
pH: 3,25

Iona 2014 Solace:

TASTING NOTE

Red berry fruit, spiced with white pepper and floral notes. Supple, intense palate with fine matched by fruit depth.

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

Hand picked destemmed with no crushing. No SO2 at crushing. Natural fermentation with two punch downs per day. Grapes spent 21 days on skin before being pressed and racked into 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill 500 litre French Oak barrels.

TECHNICAL INFO

Alcohol: 14%
Residual sugar: 2,8g/l
Total acid: 5,3 g/l
pH: 3,48

One Man Band Blend:

These vineyards are planted in warmer, drier conditions ensuring that the Syrah produced there is not for sissies. It is dense and powerful, but with bags of ripe red berry fruit and spice.

It provides the warmth in the blend that is a perfect counterpoint to the coolness of the Iona contributions.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Planted in 1999 on two vineyards on Houwhoek. The two blocks make a total of 1.58 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The cool climate means that we can produce  Cabernet Sauvignon that is beautifully flavour ripe at 13.5% alcohol.

The typical flavour profile is classically Cabernet with deep, dark cassis and cigar box aromas.

Petit verdot

As with the Mourvèdre, we produce about 2-3 barrels of Petit verdot annually. Petit verdot is a classic, late-ripening variety from Bordeaux. It is very tannic and dark, but brings great colour, structure and aromatics to the blend. Look out for it as an undertone of violets on the blend when it is mature.

Viognier

We have small plantings of Viognier which provide a couple of barrels a year. Viognier is a very aromatic varietal and brings perfume to the blend. Jasmine, almonds and peaches are classic Viognier aromas.

Once again, a little bit goes a long way, and a single barrel in the blend can bring an unmistakable floral note to the wine.

Mourvèdre

Each year we produce 2 or 3 barrels of Mourvèdre which lends weight, spice and wild berries to the blend, and it’s potent flavour makes a mark on the blend even in very small amounts.

TASTING NOTE

Syrah 44%, Cabernet Sauvignon 26%, Merlot 23%, Petit Verdot 5%, Mourvèdre 2%

Elegant with ripe, juicy red and black fruit. Lovely white pepper and sweet, exotic spice on the nose. The entry is intense, with underlying cedar wood, followed by a long savoury, earthy finish with fine grained tannins.

TASTING INFO

Alcohol: 13,59%
Residual sugar: 2,4 g/l
Total acid: 5,1 g/l
pH: 3,63

Mr. P Pinot Noir 2015:

Elegant, fresh cherry and red berry nose, with undergrowth melange. The palate is pure with lovely texture and sweet cherry fruit dominates with spicy undertones. The wine is fresh and intense with real vibrancy.