Franschhoek, South Africa
Wonderful property and great Chardonnay
It was my fifth day in country touring South Africa, and my
second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia
and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a self-driving
tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the day did not
feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I got smart
and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a guide
could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region by
discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa. I discovered Stephen after reading a
book on South African tourism in the wine section and saw that he had been
recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore, for R 1,900.00 per person
for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up in Cape Town and we were
off, and the next Stellenbosch winery tasting was at La Motte.
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Wine
Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
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96 – 100
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Extraordinary
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90 – 95
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Outstanding
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80 – 89
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above average
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70 – 79
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below average
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60 – 69
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poor/appalling/ “Cac”
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Review basics:
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Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
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91/100
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Chardonnay 2011 – 4 stars
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – 4 stars
Pierneef 2013 – 5 stars
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Awards
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Eat
Out DSTV Food Network Restaurant Awards - Top 20
Diners
Club Wine list of the Year - Platinum Category Winner
South
African Wine List of the Year - Three Flutes Winner
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Wines Produced
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Red
Blends, &, Bordeaux Blend (aka Meritage)
White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling (Méthode Cap
Classique)
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Grape Blends
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Red: Grenache, Carignan, Cinsaut, Shiraz,
Merlot blend
Bordeaux blend (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot,
& Malbec) and a
Shiraz Viognier blend
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Current Vintage for 2014
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Reds: 2009, 2010, 2011
Whites: 2010, 2011, & 2013
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Region Map
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Stellenbosch, and
Franschhoek
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Regulatory
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ABV %
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12.87, 13.7%, 14%
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Barrel Types
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French oak, (30% new and 70% older barrels)
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Barrel Aging
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14 months
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South African wine
Quality Standards:
Unlike some European
countries, South Africa does not have any requirements for the process of
making wines in a particular region—for instance, allowing only certain
trellising methods or varietals. However, there are certain quality
requirements. For a wine to be labeled
as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular region, estate, or
vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality characteristics,”
which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess sediment or crystals,
have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable flavor characteristics.
Among the several characteristics listed as unacceptable, a wine may not be
overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For a wine to be labeled as coming
from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used to make the wine must have been
grown there, and producers may only label their wines using
officially-recognized geographic areas.
In addition to designating a particular geographic unit, region,
district, or ward, a producer may also designate the wine as coming from a
particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard wine.” However, to do so the producer must first
register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and Spirit
Board. Single-vineyard wines must have
been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered with
the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares. Estate wines must be made entirely—including
bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown. Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar”
as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used
in making the wine must have been of that type. This same 85% rule applies to
designating a particular vintage year.
Cases Produced:
Per Year:
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Sauvignon Blanc 2013
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La Motte Millennium 2011
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20,000 (6 x 750 ml)
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Chardonnay 2011
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5,000 (6 x 750 ml)
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Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
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10,000 (6 x 750 ml)
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La Motte Pierneef 2013
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7,500 (6 x 750 ml)
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La Motte Pierneef Red blend
2010
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Price chart:
$ - Under $50.00 USD
$$ - Over $50.00 USD
$$$ - Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ - Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$- Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:
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Wine Selction:
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Currency:
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Country:
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Price Chart :
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La Motte Millennium 2011 (750 ml)
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R70.00
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ZAR
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$6.40
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USD
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$
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£3.84
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GBP
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£
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€4.65
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EUR
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€
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¥39.14
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CNY
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¥
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Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (750 ml)
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R60.00
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ZAR
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$5.49
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USD
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$
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£3.29
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GBP
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£
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€3.99
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EUR
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€
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¥33.55
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CNY
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¥
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Chardonnay 2011 (750 ml)
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R104.00
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ZAR
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$9.51
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USD
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$
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£5.70
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GBP
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£
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€6.91
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EUR
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€
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¥58.15
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CNY
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¥¥
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Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (750 ml)
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R131.00
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ZAR
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$11.98
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USD
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$
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£7.18
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GBP
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£
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€8.71
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EUR
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€
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¥73.25
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CNY
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¥¥
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La Motte Pierneef 2013 (750 ml)
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R108.00
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ZAR
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$9.88
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USD
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$
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£5.92
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GBP
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£
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€7.18
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EUR
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€
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¥60.39
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CNY
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¥¥
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La Motte Pierneef Red blend 2010 (750 ml)
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R199.00
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ZAR
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$18.20
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USD
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$
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£10.91
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GBP
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£
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€13.23
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EUR
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€
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¥111.28
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Visit these sites to
get up to date currency rates:
Alternatively, visit:
Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
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Signature Flight:
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$4.00
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Themed Tasting:
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$20.00
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Vineyard tour & tasting
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$5.00
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Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes
From vineyards home page:
In 1695, a piece of land in the Franschhoek Valley was
granted to German immigrant, Hans Hattingh. In 1709, the land was purchased by
French Huguenot Pierre Joubert, who is believed to have named it after the
village of his birth in Provence – La Motte d’Aigues. Viticulture on La Motte
was established in 1752 with the planting of 4 000 vines by Huguenot descendant
Gabriël du Toit.
In 1970, the farm was bought by Dr. Anton Rupert and a major
development, restoration and conservation programme followed, which reinvented
La Motte into a leading global wine producer and sought-after tourist
destination. Vineyards have been progressively replanted with noble varieties,
the latest viticultural practices have been introduced and a modern cellar has
been built. Today, La Motte Wine Estate is operated under the guidance of owner
Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband Hein Koegelenberg, Chief Executive
Officer of the estate.
Main review:
Stephen Flesch of GourmetWine Tours of South Africa had picked me up in Cape Town, and we
were now already entering our fifth wine tasting of the day at La Motte, and
had already done tastings at Meerlust Winery, Ken Forrester, De Trafford Winery, which also produces Sijnn Wines,
and Kleine Zalze Vineyards. We had officially left Stellenbosch and were entering
into the Franschhoek Wine Region, where La Motte would be the first of two stops before
dinner at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français.
The La-Motte property was beautiful, overlooking the
mountain ranges of Franschhoek, along with several properties on the Estate
dating back to the 1700’s, including a
T-shaped Manor farmhouse, a Jonkershuis used originally as a stable, a cellar
built in 1825, a water mill, cattle post, and Hugenoterus Cemetery, currently
under restoration. The property also has a restaurant named Pierneef,
after a South African artist (Jacob Hendrik Pierneef 1886 – 1957) whose creativity
in portraying the beauty of the South African landscape is echoed in the
restaurant’s offering of traditional cuisine with a modern interpretation. Finally
the tasting room, two stories with private tasting areas, a bar, fireplace,
sofa’s, and in the main tasting room, large tables for small or big groups to
enjoy the wine and conversations around you. The best part is an unimpeded view
of the working and maturation cellars through large glass panels.
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| Picture courtesy of La Motte |
The winery employees several people labeled wine ambassadors
who seat you, present the wine and Charcuterie menus, and go into detail about
the wines that you will taste. As most tasting from the other vineyards in
Stellenbosch and Constantia, you are given six wines, all listed below in the
tasting notes section. The Chardonnay and Pierneef Shiraz Viognier blend were
the best selections that I had. The Cabernet Sauvignon on the other hand, how
can I saw politely…I do not know if I got a bad bottle, but it was not good at
all! Maybe I should have brought it to the attention of the ambassadors, but to
me considering that I love Cabernet, and visit Napa California on a regular
basis to taste the latest years vintages from vineyards like Opus One, Stag’s Leap, and Hoopes, this
cabernet tasting struck out on the do not like list.
Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included
in the overall price for each winery that day. As an American visiting South
Africa, the tastings in both Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience
within themselves, much different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma,
California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon
starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South
Africa I was shocked. The average is $3.00-$6.00, La Motte being $4.00 (ZAR40.00)
This or these wines remind me
of:
High marks of 91 out of 100 for the vineyard on their Chardonnay,
and Shiraz blend, though as I mentioned the Cabernet was not good, and it did
affect my overall rating for the vineyard, and they would have gotten a 94 or
95 if it were not for that experience. The Chardonnay was one of the best I had
ever tasted, reminding me other iconic Chardonnays like Castello di Amorosa, and their reserve, Bien
Nacido, and Pahlmeyer’s
2012 Chardonnay, both wineries being in Napa. Their Shiraz though a slight
blending, had the same charecterists to me as a Constantia winery, Eagles Nest, and their “Little Eagle” Shiraz. Very good
wines overall. The USA Distributor for La Motte wine is Kysela Pere Et Fils, LTD based out of Winchester, Virginia.
Bouquet
& Palette:
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Wine & Grape:
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Nose:
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Palette Experience:
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Intense gooseberry followed by green apple, winter melon
and lemon on the nose makes this wine very friendly and approachable.
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The natural acid is covered by the gentle, full and creamy
palate. In spite of the low residual sugar, there is a mellow sweetness on
the palate.
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The nose of this wine reflects how it was made. Raspberry
(Merlot), a slight herbaciousnous (Cabernet Franc) and English toffee (oak)
are combined in a harmonious way.
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The palate is juicy and rich and leaves a lingering dry,
fresh finish. Best served with red meats, game, roasts and noble, matured
cheese.
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A low pH and good acid in the analyses were evident of a
fresh wine with a firm structure. Low alcohol resulted in soft, integrated
extraction of complementing wood flavors.
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The result is a wine with tropical and citrus fruit flavors,
with cashew nut in the background. Secondary traces of fermentation and wood
are present, but it is a crisp and refreshing wine.
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The wine reflects varietal aromas on the nose, with wild
berries, tomato leaf, cedar, cinnamon spice, dark chocolate and prominent
truffle
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. The full-bodied palate has a firm structure, but a fine
tannin texture and there is a pleasantly dry after-taste. Enjoyed best from
2013 until 2023
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The wine is fruity, with gooseberry, passion fruit, ripe
apple and hints of dry wild grass in the background.
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While slightly less minerality than normal came from this
vineyard, the wine has good intensity on the nose and a bigger body than in
other years.
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A blend of 88% Shiraz and 12% Viognier. The nose reflects
raspberry and cranberry fruit with liquorice and green pepper spice. The
splash of Viognier adds a rose-petal perfume.
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Good color and tight, concentrated tannins are combined
with spice, to produce a wine full of flavour and complexity.
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Château or Vineyard Owner:
The Rupert Family
Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg
Viticulturist:
Pietie le Roux
Winemaker:
Edmund Terblanche
Tasting room address:
R45 Main Rd
Franschhoek 7690
South Africa
Cross streets:
R45 & Happy Valley Road
33º 53′ 0.91″ S
19º 4′ 21.57″ E
Altitude 207
Contact Information:
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Tasting room:
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+27 21 876 8030
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Winery:
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+27 (0)21 876 8000
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Fax:
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+27 (0) 21 876 3446
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Website:
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Email:
Tasting Room:
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Hours of tastings:
Mon to Sat 09:00 – 17:00
Closed on Sundays and
Christian religious holidays
S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)
Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE) in Franschhoek
Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:
“I like cooking with wine;
sometimes I even add it to the food.”
