La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Going out to La Motte and tasting wines with winemaker Edmund Terblanche is a really sublime experience in wine.

La Motte’s Nabot vineyard in Walker Bay, close to the town of Bot Rivier, is now 7 years in production and the 2009 La Motte Pierneef Organic Sauvignon Blanc produced from grapes grown there is an exceptional wine.

Edmund told us that a thoroughly cold and wet winter preceded the season; resulting in a positive effect on the harvest.  Lower than average temperatures delayed the harvest by ten days, benefitting the optimal ripeness and flavour development.  This, and the fact that the grapes were exceptionally healthy, has led many winemakers to believe 2009 to be the best quality season in ten years.  Smile on his face!

The Nabot vineyard is organically managed and this, in conjunction with medium potential soils, no fertilizers and strong winds, means  conditions are very challenging for the vines. The result, however, is fruit with a good concentration of flavours.

The wine is a stunning pale straw colour with flashes of light green around the edges.  Rich and complex tropical fruit flavours ­ think passion fruit, melon, apples and litchi with an undertow of fynbos ­ the natural vegetation of the farm.  There are hints of lime and gooseberry too with a refreshing acidity which is in perfect balance with natural residual sugar.

Cellar Door price is R94 a 750ml bottle.