One of South Africa’s oldest wineries with roots tracing back to 1711, Morgenster has been owned since 1992 by the now-late Giulio Bertrand and his family, who significantly upgraded facilities and enlisted the expertise of Pierre Lurton (Cheval Blanc) along with minimalist-approach winemaker Henry Kotze to produce exceptional, age-worthy blends from and alongside their mostly estate-grown single varieties. One of the Southernmost properties in Stellenbosh, Morgenster enjoys relatively cooler maritime climate keeping the wines fresh and delicious.
2019 Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc (unwooded) Stellenbosch $14
A hand-harvested, unwooded Sauvignon Blanc sourced from some of the top white vineyards in the Helderberg ward. The 2018 vintage was superb for white grapes, with a dry growing season featuring significant day/night temperature variations.
2016 Morgenster Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch $16
Grown in mixed soils with vines averaging 5-18 years of age. The grapes are hand-harvested, and the wine aged 12 months (6 months on lees) in used French oak barrels followed by six months of bottle ageing prior to release. This 100% Cabernet Franc possesses classic characteristics including a nose of lush cassis fruit with notes of cinnamon and clove.
2014 Morgenster Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch $16
This Stellembosch Cab Sauv is drawn from younger, 10-20-year-old vines. Henry Kotze’s minimalist winemaking affords pure expression of lush red and black fruits in an approachable, terroir driven style, with Morgenster’s trademark silky smooth tannins in the background. Hand-harvested, destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks with minimal extraction to preserve freshness and fruit. The wine is aged 12 months in French oak barrels followed by several years of bottle ageing prior to release.
2010 Morgenster Lourens River Valley Estate Red $21
50% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
An age-worthy Bordeaux-style blend dominated by Cabernet Franc and Merlot, using estate-grown grapes from Stellenbosch’s Helderberg district. The wine is aged 18 months in French oak barrels (30% new) followed by several years of bottle ageing prior to release. The wine is a South African classic with aromas of Blackcurrant and cherry with spicy clove, chive, anis and butter developments. Well integrated vanilla, cacao and caramel smooths over into the palate. The wine is plush with dark berry fruits, rounded silky tannins and the signature SA smoky note.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.