LOURENS RIVER VALLEY 1999

Seven years since purchasing the property, owner Giulio Bertrand released this the second vintage under the Lourens River Valley label - a classic style Bordeaux-blend with an elegant harmonious balance and lingering finish.

With the cellar still in the design phase, this wine was made off the property but with exclusively Morgenster grapes from vineyards designed to marry clones, cultivars, soils, aspect and viticultural practice aimed at producing the very best from the terroir ideally suited to realise Bertrand's vision for the property.

The John Platter gave this wine 4½ stars saying of the wine "Richer, plummier; more evident merlot fruit than previous (62% vs. 48%). Mulberry aromas, choc wiffs; superb textures; restrained, well integrated oak".

VINEYARD REGION	Stellenbosch Helderberg ward
VINTAGE CONDITIONS	Near perfect ripening conditions meant fat, alcoholic reds, with superb tannin structure.
GRAPE VARIETIES	Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
MATURATION	100% of the individual components spent 15 months in French Oak. The wine once bottled was allowed a further 7 months maturation before release.
WINE ANALYSIS	Alc / Vol: 13% Acidity: 5.6g/l pH: 3.6 Residual sugar: 15g/l Extract: 31g/l
FOOD MATCHES	The accessibility of this wine makes pairing with food an adventure - try olive pastes on bruschetta, lightly smoked meats, venison, game birds, and ripe cheeses
Winemaker comments by Marius Lategan
COLOUR	Distinctive, intense ruby colour.
NOSE	A savoury bouquet backed by spicy, vanilla nuances.
PALATE	Hints of citrus and tea are complimented by cherry and rich red berry flavours that carry through from the nose to the palate.
Awards
Platter Guide:	4½ stars

back