La Motte Estate

La Motte Estate Review

This estate is owned by a branch of the same Rupert family that owns L'Ormarins, and is a partner in Rupert & Rothschild, a vineyard closer to Paarl. The elegant and rather formal tasting room, with its long marble-top table at which you sample the wines, looks into the cellars through a wall of smoked glass. The 2007 La Motte Shiraz, which needs about five years to reach its peak, is one of the biggest and boldest you'll taste of this variety, full of rich flavors. The 2007 Pierneef Collection Shiraz-Viognier is being snapped up for its whiffs of dark chocolate, smoked beef, black cherry, and blackberry. This wine is named in honor of the famous South African artist J. H. Pierneef, who was well known for his stunning landscapes from the first half of the 20th century. There are no cellar tours.