Iona Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Walker Bay South Africa 2004. $8.00 a glass at Endless Vines; $24 per bottle. Imported by Martin-Scott Wines, http://www.martinscottwines.com/
Ruby red color, medium hue, lovely aroma of red fruits and spice, very good berry flavors with hints of earth, mushrooms and -- as the label promises -- nutmeg and cinnamon [the first time I've found this combination in wine], medium mouth feel, smooth tannins, very good balance, long lingering finish with berry, spice, earth and mushroom notes. A really lovely wine -- one of the best reds I've had from South Africa. Wonderful match with fresh peas and roasted Copper River salmon on a bed of baby spinach. 4*.
Notes:
The distributor's website is confused; the wine is identified as Cabernet Sauvignon although the label is clearly Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine farm is located in New Zealand.
http://www.iona.co.za/ The wines of Iona come from a dramatically unique site in the Cape Winelands. The wineyards are on a mountain plateau 420 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In a country where cool sites are precious, these vineyards are like gold – the grapes ripening up to two months later than other Cape vineyards and in perfect balance. Iona is South Africa's coolest vineyard site.
Andrew Gunn and family acquired this beautiful, but run-down apple farm in 1997. It was renamed "IONA" after the remote, spiritual island off the west coast of Scotland. We Gunns can trace our ancestry to the Vikings that landed in Scotland in the 900s, hence the Viking longboat emblem on our labels.
eWine: It is also believed that the Iona farm is one of South Africa’s only pieces of land which emulates the climatic conditions of Bordeaux. It has the advantage of 50% less rainfall during the harvesting months, a slightly warmer April (equal to October in Bordeaux) and an average growing season temperature of 17,5°C. The cool climate ensures long and slow ripening of the grapes and allows their sugar, ph, acid levels and flavour compounds to be in balance to produce elegant wines of distinction that rank amongst the finest in the world.
Wine Farm: Vineyard and 2005 details: Merlot 3,1 ha, Clones MO 192, 348 and 343; Cabernet Sauvignon 2,3 ha, Clones CS 37, 14 and 163, Soil Type: Mispah, Cartref and Kroonstad (post Glacial, alluvial soils), planted 1999. I couldn't find the blend for the 2004, but the wine farm gives a 60/40 blend for the 2005 vintage.
Why do we use screwcap?
Screw caps will ensure that you will receive the wine in premium condition – alive, abounding with flavours and a pleasure to drink.
Screw caps eliminate the risk of cork taint.
Screw caps have been protecting premium beverages for over 30 years.
Screw caps ensure that each bottle is as good as the one before.
Screw caps allow the proper ageing of white wines.
Screw caps eliminate the ingress of oxygen, which deteriorates the wine.
Screw caps are easy to open.
Screw caps are easily resealed.
Screw caps maintain a reliable long-term seal.
Screw caps are romantic, because they maintain the quality of the wine – and the moment!