Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012:
‘All the hallmarks of quality Elgin chardonnay on 2012 - focused, intense & complex, a mineral thread adding structure & length to zesty citrus core. Oak an unobtrusive enhancement. 2010 (4 stars) was less concentrated. 2011 untasted.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5*

‘The 2012 Chardonnay was whole bunch pressed. It has a ripe bouquet, quite linear and reserved with resin elements infusing the taut citrus fruit. The palate is ripe and rounded on the entry with plenty of citrus fresh orange peel, mango and peach flavor vying for attention. Yet it remains focused and full of race toward the satisfying, effervescent finish. Very fine. Drink now-2015.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2013)

‘Bright yellow. Subtly complex nose combines peach and apricot with wild herbs, musky lees, white pepper and a hint of minerality. Supple and rich, showing an impression of sweetness that comes more from textural richness than from actual residual sugar. The peach and mineral flavors carry through to the lingering finish, which is nicely firmed by a light phenolic edge.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (May 2013)

2013:
‘Superb smoky complexity, long and ornate with a flinty tone. Toffee and caramel on the length. Really beautiful complexity and youthfulness.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Sep 2018)

‘Elegance, composure & an intrigue of flavours mark 2013. Soft fleshed, with cool lemon blossom tones & citrus freshness all cushioned by enriching lees, this infant Elgin classic should give greater complexity by 2018-20. Superb successor to focused, intense 2012 (4.5 stars).’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 5*

‘The 2013 Iona Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed and racked into 300-liter barrels with 10% in stainless steel. It has an understated bouquet with honeysuckle and lime flower scents, the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasant fatness on the mid-palate. Good weight in the mouth here with lovely tropical tones toward the harmonious finish that slips down the throat. This is an impressive, well-crafted Chardonnay from winemaker Werner Müller.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2014)

2014:
‘Mid straw colour. Lightly smoky nose and sweet-seeming, almost butterscotch, palate. Good acidity. Racing along. Tight and lively.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Feb 2022)

‘2014 gorgeous follow up to elegant, complex 2013 (5 stars, 96 pts). Fruit youthfully expressive, riper lemon & lime juicy flavours, but not compromising its cool, clean lines & cushioning lees enrichment. Charming now, but plenty more pleasure in store.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

‘Iona is less well known for its Chardonnay than its Sauvignon Blanc (and produces way less of it), but this wild fermented white is impressive in its own right, showing attractive lees-derived texture, a touch of oak and stone fruit sweetness supported by acidity. Drink: 2015-18’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 92/100

2015:
‘Lovely complexity announced early on 2015: citrus & fennel, oatmeal, a little toasty oak which will integrate. All precise & refined, all in fresh balance. Long, reverberating finish. One of the most elegant local chardonnays. Like 2014 (4.5 stars, 93 pts), lots of pleasure for years.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 5*

‘Pale, bright yellow. Sexy, leesy Burgundian funk to the aromas of citrus and stone fruits, oatmeal, clove, oak char and smoked meat. Supple and rich but quite youthfully backward today, with brisk lemony acidity giving the wine a distinctly firm edge in the early going. Much less expressive in the mouth than on the nose, this Chardonnay will need another year or two to harmonize and fill out--and to absorb its slightly bitter citrus zest edge on the back end.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91+/100 (Mar 2017)

‘The 2015 Chardonay delivers the goods this year. It is matured in 18% new oak for 11 months, undergoing just a small percentage of malolactic. It does not waste any time on the nose offering punchy tropical tones, a touch of dried mango and pineapple, all nicely defined and harmonious. The palate is well balanced with good weight, more richness than the 2014 Chardonnay but without compromising balance and freshness. It gently fans out on the finish that possesses a tanginess that keeps you coming back for another sip. Whilst is might miss just a touch of nuance, this Chardonnay from Iona should drink well for several years.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Apr 2017)

2017:
‘Rich, intense aromas & flavours on 2017 yet not without characteristic elegance, thanks to the convincing balance between fruit & structure - notably the fine acidity off cool Iona vineyards. Oak support vital for complexity, but invisible.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

‘Iona's biggest volume Chardonnay comes from three north-facing vineyards at 420 metres. Wild fermented in larger oak, it's a nuanced, stylishly balanced white with good concentration, some stone fruit sweetness and a hint of vanilla spice. 2019-24’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 92/100

‘Sparky, light citrus fruit with gummy, full texture. Subtle, restrained green-apple fruit and juicy, tangy acidity. Lovely buttery note giving subtle complexity on the finish.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Sep 2018)