Iona Syrah 2008

South Africa

Availability: In stock.

Winemaking

Syrah on Iona was one of those fortunate accidents that happen from time to time. When we originally planted our Cabernet Sauvignon the nursery mistakenly supplied us with about 600 vines of Shiraz. The mistake was only discovered after the vines started growing and bearing fruit. Rather than replant them, we decided to mark the Shiraz vines as they were randomly interspersed in the Cabernet block, and harvest them separately. We made 4 barrels of wonderful, elegant Shiraz with the cool growing conditions showing the white spice, red berry fruit and perfume associated with Hermitage. As a result we planted more Shiraz, with some Mourvedre and Viognier as potential blending components and changed the name to Syrah reflecting its more Northern Rhone style. The Syrah spends 12 months in oak (955 French and 5% American).