Press Release March 2007

A Synthesis of Quality Without Compromise

Followers of the Morgenster Estate blend will breathe a cumulative sigh of relief at the launch of the 2003 vintage, as the heavy late rains during the 2002 harvest resulted in the Morgenster 2002 not being bottled.

"At Morgenster we follow the principles of - quality without compromise - and since the Morgenster Estate wine is the flagship of our estate, it must embody and our ideals, and will so only be released during great vintages," comments owner Giulio Bertrand.

The farm has naturally steep, stony vineyards with well-structured soils that have direct access to the cooling sea breezes of False Bay. The soils are also perfectly suited to the classic Bordeaux varieties, and carry Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc - the latter a personal favourite of Bertrand, who loves the elegant wines of St. Emilion. The combination of ideal soils and meticulous vineyard preparation and maintenance is matched in the modern award wining cellar, where every detail is geared to the creation of fine red blends. A sorting table carefully extracts only the prime berries for vinification, and a sensitive mix of French oak barrels enhances the complex character of this world-class wine.

Giulio has gathered a specialist team, including Pierre Lurton - Managing Director of Château Cheval Blanc and manager of Château Y'quem, to consult on the final assemblage, and together with talented winemaker Marius Lategan, run the farm along exacting principles that define Giulio's idea of excellence. Lurton has praised the wines of Marius Lategan for their "fatness and elegant, silky tannins," which he describes as "cashmere tannins".

The Morgenster Estate blend is perfectly balanced, elegantly structured and deeply textured. This is a classically styled Bordeaux blend that still requires time to integrate, and it is not surprising that the 2003 vintage is only being released now when most other wineries have already presented their 2005 vintages. The wine should be decanted and left for an hour to 'breathe', and is enjoyed best at around 18?C.

The 2000 vintage has been recognised with 5 stars in The Decanter magazine

The 2001 vintage received 4½ stars in the 2005 John Platter Wine Guide, and the respected American wine critic Steve Tanzer awarded it a remarkable 91+ points.

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