The wines of La
Motte, Franschhoek
South
Africa revisited part 22: a solid and sometimes exciting line up
from La Motte
Winemaker Edmond Terreblanche
Website:
http://la-motte.com/
La Motte is one of the three wine estates
owned by the Rupert family, with the others being L’Ormarins (also
in Franschhoek) and the joint venture Rupert & Rothschild. La
Motte is owned by Hanneli Rupert, the daughter of Anton Rupert who
purchased the estate in 1970, and her husband Hein Koegelenberg is
managing director. They are also part owners of Leopard’s Leap, a
more commercial venture.
I tasted these wines initially with
winemaker Edmund Terreblanche, who has been working here for a
decade now, and then on a subsequent visit with dinner
at the excellent Pierneef restaurant at the winery, with Michael
Langenhoven, assistant winemaker.
There’s a move here towards organics.
Currently, two-thirds of the fruit comes from organically managed
vineyards. The wines are quite smart, with the Pierneef range being
particularly impressive. Terreblanche says that he tries to make
Shiraz in a Burgundy style, looking not to make blockbusters, but
lighter wines. His expression of Shiraz is quite convincing, and I
also really like the Pierneef Sauvignon.
THE
WINES
La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2009
This is half of the whole production. Very fresh and grassy with
nice bright fruity nose. Fruity palate with good freshness and
precision. Focused with lovely clean balanced fruit. Some mineral
notes, too. 87/100 11/09
La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2008
(organic)
Fresh mineral and grapefruit nose. Beautifully focused. The
palate has amazing bright lime and grapefruit notes with some melon
and fresh grass hints. Intense, in a distinctive style. 90/100 11/09
La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2009
(organic)
Taut and crisp with some green herby noes and also lovely rich
melon and citrus fruit, as well as grapefruit freshness.
Multidimensional. 90/100
La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2010
(organic) tank sample
Youthful, aromatic and fresh with lovely rich fruit character.
Very bright with some savouriness and nice greenness. 90/100
La Motte Chardonnay 2008
Fresh and creamy with mealy, toasty nose and fresh lemony fruit.
Fresh and well balanced. Pure, slightly nutty palate with good
fruit. Very stylish and fresh. 90/100 11/09
La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Plump and berryish with sweet fruit and a spicy, earthy edge.
Finishes quite dry. Showing some evolution. 85/100 11/09
La Motte Shiraz 2007
Ripe, sweet, aromatic berry fruits nose with some hints of meat,
spice and cured meat. The palate is focused with pure berry fruits
and a nice meaty savouriness. Nicely savoury: a bacon wine. 90/100
11/09
La Motte Pierneef Shiraz Viognier 2007
This is 9% Viognier which is harvested and then kept in the
fridge for 2 weeks so that it can be fermented with the Shiraz.
Pure, intense, liqueur-like sweet red fruits nose with lovely
purity. The palate is quite lush but still well defined with lovely
pretty cherry and raspberry fruit. Elegant and well defined. 92/100
11/09
La Motte Pierneef Shiraz Grenache 2007
Sweet black fruits nose is supple and slightly meaty with spicy
red and black fruits and nice savoury, peppery structure. Nice
density here with delicious savoury meatiness. 92/100 11/09
SOUTH
AFRICA REVISITED
 Part
1, Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards
Part
2, Cape Point Vineyards
Part
3, AA Badenhorst
Family Wines
Part
4, Eben Sadie: Sadie
Family Wines and Sequillo Cellars
Part
5, Paul Kretzel of
Lammershoek
Part
6, Mullineux Family
Wines
Part
7, Vondeling
Part
8, Scali
Part
9, Sterhuis
Part
10, Raats
Part
11, Migliarina
Part
12, Charles Back and Fairview
Part
13, Hermit on the Hill
Part
14, Klein Constantia
Part
15, Iona, Elgin
 Part 16, Paul
Cluver, Elgin
 Part 17, Eagles'
Nest, Constantia
Part 18, Anthonij
Rupert
Part 19, Rupert
& Rothschild
Part 20, Oak Valley, Elgin
Part 21, Shannon, Elgin
Wines
tasted 10/10
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