in the vineyard : Origin
This wine was made from grapes originating from vineyards growing in different regions in the Cape wine-lands - Elgin (34%), Franschhoek (20%), Walker Bay (20%), Nieuwoudtville (9%), Darling and West Coast (8%), Durbanville (5%) and Elim (4%).
Viticulture
Each vineyard grows in its own macro climate and different clones are represented. All the vineyards are trellised and managed to maintain a perfect balance between leaf coverage and yield. Thanks to different terroirs, each region produces its own distinctive grapes, so grapes from each area make a unique contribution to the character of this wine. The grapes originating from Franschhoek and Walker Bay are organically grown.
Vintage 2010
Veterans in the wine industry described 2010 as one of the most difficult in their career. Winter conditions were not ideal for good budding. Cold and rain hampered budding further and, together with wind, bunch denseness was also impeded. Wind caused physical damage, late rains caused fungus diseases, late dry conditions reduced the already light yield even further and a heat wave in March had a slightly negative effect on flavours. La Motte's Sauvignon Blanc yield was the lightest ever. Tropical flavours were prominent, except in the West Coast area that produced distinctively more pyrazine flavours. It's not a full wine, but it has a good analysis.
in the cellar : The process was reductive, with cold fermentation (10-13 °C). After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees for three months to enhance complexity.