Sign in with facebook
La Motte releases second vintage of flagship Hanneli R
La Motte has just released the second vintage of their flagship wine, the 2007 Hanneli R.
For La Motte Cellar Master, Edmund Terblanche, the period preceding the 2007 season was virtually perfect for wine grapes – a cold winter, cool spring, welcome early summer rains and a dry January.
The 2007 vintage is a blend of 81% Shiraz, 10% Grenache and 9% Mouverde – a southern Rhône-style wine that comprises Shiraz from the Walker Bay region and Elim as well as Grenache and Mouverde from Darling. “Using grapes from different terroir ensures depth and complexity”, Edmund explains. The Shiraz from the organically managed Walker Bay vineyards had exceptional colour and tannin structure while Elim’s cool climate and shale soils layered with “koffieklip” (coffee stone) added perfume on the nose and minerality to the palate. The Grenache and Mouverde are from dry-land bush vines grown in deep yellow Clovelly soils resulting in an attractive fruity character which beautifully combines with the Shiraz.
Harvested, sorted and fermented separately, the wine was also matured separately for 24 months in new 225-litre French oak barrels before being blended and matured in 500-litre second-fill barrels for a further 24 months. Bottling took place in September 2011 and only 3000 bottles were produced.
The combination of an exceptional vintage, 48 months of oak maturation and beautifully healthy grapes from diverse terroir has produced a wine with depth, complexity and personality. The intense and distinctive nose of rose petal perfume combines beautifully with black berry and mulberry fruit, as well as cinnamon and black pepper spice. The fullness of the palate with its powdery tannins is beautifully balanced by the freshness of a lingering minerality.
Enjoyed at its best between eight and twelve years after vintage, the 2007 Hanneli R is an excellent example of a serious red wine presented with elegance and finesse.
