With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Youth Day all happening in May and June, family relationships are top of mind. As a result, it was difficult to miss the kinship between two recent new vintage releases at La Motte: 2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc and 2021 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon.
Did you know that Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon? “… sauvignon blanc spread to the region around Bordeaux where it spontaneously crossed with cabernet franc, creating cabernet sauvignon sometime before the mid-1750s. (Until the parentage of cabernet sauvignon was discovered via DNA typing by Dr Carole Meredith and her PhD student, John Bowers, at the University of California, Davis in 1996, it was not thought that a red grape could have a white grape as a parent.)” (Read more)
2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc
The vineyards on La Motte that make out 40% of the recently released 2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc literally survived being washed away in the two major storms that hit the Franschhoek Valley during the second half of 2023. Mercifully, the cold and wet conditions were followed by enough wind to prevent diseaseand eventually a dry, hot summer that resulted in a healthy and even early harvest.
Another 40% of the grapes are from Stellenbosch and 20% from the Cape South Coast. Each vineyard grows in its own macro climate and the distinctive grapes from each area all make a unique contribution to the character of this wine, while an elegant10% of Semillon (part of the 40% grapes harvested on La Motte) ensures further complexity and maturation potential.
Grapes were harvested between 18 and 23 degrees Balling to capture natural acids and produce fuller, riper flavours. After fermentation (14 °C), the wine was left on the lees to enhance complexity, before blending and bottling.
While a trusted choice for those who enjoy a refreshing aperitif, the 2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc confirms that there is much more to this elegant white. Nuances of dried grass add depth to the aromas of gooseberry and lime, while the palate is supple and smooth despite the freshness of the acidity.
With its natural acidity and a fine texture, this wine is refreshing as a glass on its own, but with enough complexity to be a versatile and delightful partner to food. Try it with seafood – from freshly grilled fish to more luxurious crayfish, salads – fresh or withgrilled Mediterranean vegetables, often-challenging and spicy Asian flavours and of course, its natural partner, goat’s cheese.
Price:
The 2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc is available online or at the cellar door at R99 per bottle.
Analysis:
Alcohol: 12.38 %
Residual sugar: 3.5 g/l
Total acidity: 6.5 g/l
pH: 3.32
Tasting Notes:
Download Tasting Sheet for 2024 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc
2021 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon
La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its elegance and exceptional maturation potential. The 2021 vintage promises nothing less with all the grapes originating from vineyards in theHelderberg winegrowing area about 7 km from the False Bay coastline – the heartland of South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
With coastal breezes and a combination of well-drained weathered granite and shale soil (including some spots of coffee stone gravel), the sustainably farmed vineyards have sufficient light and are properly aerated. Grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness, destalked and sorted in the vineyard and then fermented twice in stainless steel with pump-overs twice a day. Pressing and barrelling happened three weeks later, leaving the wine to mature in 300-litre French oak barrels (100% second fill) for 16 months.The various batches were blended, filtered and bottled in October 2022. 4000 cases (6 x 750 ml) of 2021 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon were released.
An intricate wine combining intense berry and plum fruit with clove spice and mint, La Motte's 2021 vintage also shows typical Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics of prominent cigar box and oak-derived toffee in the background. Ample tannins and a full palate with an opulent consistency and persistent finish, indicate exceptional maturation while the wine’s flavourful intensity, makes it a natural partner to red meat, beautiful in combination with charred onions and root vegetables such as beetroot and irresistible with hard herbs such as rosemary and thyme.
Price:
The 2021 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon is available online or at the cellar door for R170 per bottle.
Analysis:
Alcohol: 14.14 %
Residual sugar: 2.4 g/l
Total acidity: 5.9 g/l
pH: 3.58
Tasting Notes:
Download Tasting Sheet for 2021 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon
