La Motte Hanneli R 2015

At R1 350 a bottle for the newly released 2015 vintage, the red blend that is Hanneli R from La Motte is not to be sniffed at. It’s a blend of 58% Syrah, 32% Grenache and 10% Petite Sirah from various appellations, matured for 40 months in 600-litre oak barrels.

This wine always presents as something of a stylistic curiosity. The nose shows red fruit, spice and dried herbs yet there’s also a slight malty quality while the palate is rich and broad but equally not without freshness (alcohol is 13.92%). It drinks very well now offering layers of flavour while appearing quite mellow at the same time. How long it will continue to mature with benefit is anybody’s guess…

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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