Rianie Strydom & Jonathan Maltus, IKOYI White, 2023

Jonathan Maltus OBE, one of the original Saint Émilion garagistes, teamed up with Cape Winemakers Guild member Rianie Strydom of Strydom Family Wines to make this aromatic white. 

Made from old vine Chenin Blanc, this signature white from South Africa will appeal to both lovers of white Burgundy and Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes used come hail a site 300m above sea-level, from the northern slopes of the Helderberg, largely based on decomposed granite soil. Planted in 1988 the 35-year old vines are very low-yielding (around 30 hl/ha) and the vineyard lies in the “Golden Triangle” of Stellenbosch, close to Haskell Vineyards, Alto and Rust en Vrede.

The combination on the nose of beeswax, macadamia nuts, yuzu and yellow plums, paired with vigorous grapefruit peel, fresh ginger, apple blossom and pine is very appealing. The palate has a good balance of zestiness and slightly richer nuances. Juicy citrus and white stone fruit convert to waxed pears, toasted pine nuts and salted caramel, but always pulled along by tongue-tingling acids.