Lock, stock and wine barrel: Pierneef Syrah Viognier

There’s an art to fine winemaking that can be considered a talent one is born with. Yes, it can be honed and refined, but much like fine artists – famous ones at least – their talents emerged early on.

It seems that La Motte’s team of cellar master Edmund Terblanche and farm manager and viticulturist Pietie le Roux’s latest release in their Pierneef series, again captures that art.

The 2016 Pierneef Syrah Viognier has been hitting all the right notes with every vintage since 2003. It’s a bottle of pure Cape magic, with the latest release blending 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier.

The charm of La Motte has always been the way grapes (not from the estate) are sourced. The latest release features the Shiraz from Elim (60%) and Walker Bay (35%).

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The Viognier is from Franschhoek. It creates a wine that isn’t heavy. Instead, there’s a bouncy delicacy, thanks to some floral notes from the Viognier and a sophistication that only Syrah can provide.

It also means it’s a versatile wine, perfect with seasonal changes.

Some background

Rain in Elim and the risk of decay caused an earlier harvest and the result is wines with a low-alcohol content and a positive, low pH.

The Franschhoek Viognier was chosen because of its late ripening and was harvested together with the Syrah to co-ferment.

The 2016 Pierneef Syrah Viognier is available online or at the cellar door for R260 per bottle. Visit la-motte.com for more information.

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