La Motte - Celebrating consistent success of cool climate Pierneef Collection
18 February 2020
La Motte Wine Estate in the Franschhoek Valley is celebrating the international acknowledgement of its premium Pierneef Collection, reaffirming the estate’s status as a producer of fine wines and the success of introducing cool climate styles. The limited production Pierneef Collection consists of a Syrah Viognier blend and a Sauvignon Blanc, both for which grapes are obtained from site-specific vineyards grown predominantly in the cooler South Coast region.
Following on the exceptional performance of prior vintages, the 2017 Pierneef Syrah Viognier has not only been listed as one of the Top 100 Wines in South Africa, but has also received 100 points in the SA Wine Index, won Double Platinum as well as the category for Rhône Reds in the National Wine Challenge and has been awarded with Gold medals in the Sommelier Selection, Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge as well as the International Wine Challenge China.
The blend consists of 95% Syrah (90% Elim and 5% Walker Bay) and 5% Franschhoek Viognier, chosen for its late ripening that enables co-fermentation with the Syrah. Grapes were hand-sorted and fermented without stems. The wine was matured for 14 months in 300-litre French oak barrels of which 55% were new. Post blending, the wine was returned to the barrels for another four months before bottling in November 2018.
With almost ideal growing conditions, the Elim grapes (from some of the most southerly vineyards in Africa) offers wonderful intensity in colour and aroma. This beautiful extraction includes prominent mulberry fruit and pepper spice, while integrated oak ensures complexity on the nose. Silky on the palate, the 2017 Pierneef Syrah Viognier concludes with finesse and freshness - typical of a cool climate South African Syrah.
Its companion, the 2019 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is also a true reflection of its cool climate Cape South Coast classification with all grapes coming from the Elim district. 9% Semillon was added to the Sauvignon Blanc ensuring freshness and exceptional maturation potential. After a cooler than usual summer and small harvest, the wine was left on the skins for approximately 16 hours and on the fine lees for 5 months.
The elegant 2019 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is thiol-driven with prominent citrus flavours and nuances of green pepper and Cape gooseberry. With its delightful mineral finish, the wine harmonises beautifully with seafood as well as the spicy notes of Chinese and Thai dishes. Delightful as an aperitif, this Sauvignon Blanc also works well with the freshness of salads and the acidity of tomatoes, especially semi-dried tomatoes.