La Motte Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier 2013

Wine of Origin: Coastal (Walker Bay, Elim and Franschhoek)

Cellarmaster: Edmund Terblanche

Winemaker: Michael Langehoven

Background: The La Motte wine farm is situated at the gateway of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in the Western Cape and is owned by one of South Africa’s leading mezzo-sopranos, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg.

La Motte produces two ranges of wines namely the Pierneef Collection and the Classic Collection. The Pierneef Collection is a tribute to the famous South African artist, JH Pierneef, whose works illuminate the labels on the bottles. Initially, the Pierneef Collection was launched with two wines, the Shiraz-Viognier and the organically grown Sauvignon Blanc but in 2006, and as a result of the tremendous success they added the Shiraz-Grenache to the Collection.

The annual Vintage wine and Venison dinner at La Motte’s Pierneef Restaurant was held mid August this year and it was a wonderful opportunity to savour older wines paired with an excellent menu prepared by Chef Michele Theron. It was with the second course of Fermented honey and mustard rabbit galantine that we enjoyed the 2007 Pierneef Shiraz- Viognier which proved how well this wine matures.

The current vintage, the 2013, is a blend of 90% Shiraz and 10% Viognier. The Shiraz component is from Walker Bay (65%) and Elim (35%) while the Viognier (10%) originates from Franschhoek. The grapes were hand-sorted and then fermented without stems. Regular pump overs were done during fermentation. After about 25 days’ maceration the free run and press wine were placed together in 300-litre barrels (70% new French oak) and matured for 14 months, after which blending took place and the wine went back to barrels for another 4 months prior to bottling.

Result: Colour of inky plum and delicate aromas of spice and black cherry with hints of liquorice. The palate is rich and silky with savoury ripe plums and subtle hints of spice and cinnamon on the lingering finish.

When to drink: Now till 2024

Drink with what: We enjoyed the wine on a cold evening with lamb and rosemary pie

Expect to pay (prices may differ nationally): R254.00