Cabernet Sauvignon

Thanks to its ample tannins and flavourful intensity, this wine is a classic partner to lamb and beef. Also a natural choice with most other types of red meat, it works well with pork, venison, marinated steaks, rare beef and wintery stews such as a stroganoff. It enjoys the earthiness of root vegetables like beetroot, the herby fragrance of rosemary and thyme, the sweet smokiness of charred onions and of course, the umami of mushrooms

The run-up to the 2022 harvest went smoothly, with adequate cold in the winter and enough water for irrigation where necessary. Despite the cold and rainy conditions during budding, it went smoothly. The summer was relatively cool, which aided flavour development until late January, when it suddenly warmed up. This most likely resulted in somewhat lower acid levels and slightly higher pH levels than in 2021. All vineyards are trellised and established in the first prominent hills, about 7 km from the False Bay coastline. Soil is a combination of weathered granite and shale. The soil is well-drained while maintaining good water holding capacity. Sustainable farming practices include vineyard management to ensure proper aeration and sufficient light. Destemming and sorting are done in the vineyard.

The wine was matured for 16 months in 300-litre French oak barrels - 33% new French oak. After this, the Cabernet Sauvignon batches were cut and filtered.

Grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness, destemmed and then fermented in stainless steel tanks with pump-overs twice a day. After 3 weeks it was pressed and put into barrels.

La Motte is a Franschhoek wine estate with a long-standing reputation for classic South African wines and Cape heritage. Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and elegant red blends, the estate combines Franschhoek character with a polished, food-friendly style.