Wine Composition
100% Syrah from Franschhoek (60%), Elim (25%) and Bot River (15%)
Winemaker Comments
The full-bodied character of this wine harmonizes perfectly with rich, flavourful dishes, grilled foods (including grilled vegetables), game dishes (particularly those incorporating stewed fruit and sweet aromatic spice components), peppercorn-crusted steaks and barbecued meat in a sticky, sweet sauce. The wine’s abundant fruit also latches onto the sweetness in jellies, chutneys or berry sauces.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.74% vol
Total Acidity
5.7 g/l
Residual Sugar
2.5 g/l
pH
3.5
Vintage
As was the case during the previous year, the growing season was preceded by a good winter that ensured even budding. Ample ground-water and cool soils delayed budding, and harvesting started later. Temperatures rose, with regular rain that promoted growth and caused favourable conditions for disease. Good leaf management was required. Heavy rain was also received during middle January. The harvest will be remembered for its magnitude in the Boland. In general, ripeness occurred at lower sugars.
Cellar Techniques
The vineyards all have unique macro climates and grow in a large variety of soil types. Different clones are represented. All the vineyards are trellised on a wire system and managed to be in perfect balance. Each terroir makes a unique contribution to the wine and each has a different harvest date. The grapes for this wine were harvested over a period of one month.
Grapes were picked when still firm but ripe. The bunches were de-stemmed and hand-sorted. Whole berries were pumped into an open stainless steel tank, inoculated and cool-fermented at 20 – 24 degrees Celsius, while pumping over with ample aeration. Malolactic fermentation started in the tanks and finished in 300-litre French oak barrels, 30% of which were new. The wine was matured for 14 months, blended, filtered and bottled in November 2015. 10 000 cartons (6 x 750 ml) were produced.
Viticulturist
Pietie le Roux
Winemaker
Edmund Terblanche
Winery
Situated in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Cape winelands, La Motte is home to the finest wines, recognised internationally for exceptional quality. With its picturesque setting, traditional cuisine and historic charm, La Motte is an enchanting choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
La Motte was acquired in 1970 by the late Dr. Anton Rupert, an internationally respected industrialist who established a global business empire, and was held in high regard as a committed conservationist. Dr. Rupert and his art-devoted wife, Huberte, also played an immense role in the preservation of art. As much as there has been a dedication to producing top quality wine at La Motte since its acquisition by Dr. Rupert in 1970, the estate has also shown a distinct responsibility towards uplifting and empowering its people.
Environmental management is a high priority at La Motte and is factored into the long-term strategy as well as daily running of the estate. Examples of environmental care include the protection of precious natural flora known as ‘fynbos’ on the adjoining Wemmershoek mountains and adherence to biologic principles in the production of grapes, flowers and ethereal oils. La Motte was one of the first wine estates to be awarded the coveted ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification
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