LOURENS RIVER VALLEY 2006
Each vintage at Morgenster presents its own challenges and the 2006
harvest was a difficult one, more for the winemaker than for the
viticulturist. While viticulturists had to farm with natural forces like high
temperatures, water stressed vines and sometimes gale force winds,
the winemaker had an even darker force brooding and waiting to
strike at any moment - power failures!
Nonetheless the quality of the 2006 harvest was excellent, as evident
in the wonderfully balanced Lourens River Valley 2006. This second
Morgenster Bordeaux label has achieved 4½ stars in the John Platter
guide for the last eight years since 1999, an enviable track record of
consistent excellence.
VINEYARD
REGION |
Stellenbosch
Helderberg ward |
| VINTAGE CONDITIONS |
Dry weather in February resulting
in excellent, slow ripening
conditions which contributed to
good phenolic ripening. Strong
winds resulted in smaller berries,
vigorous growth and a lighter
crop, thereby favouring the
concentration of fruit flavours,
colour and extract in the wines. |
GRAPE
VARIETIES |
Merlot
Cabernet franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Petit Verdot |
| MATURATION |
100% barrel matured in 300 oak, from French coopers, for 14 months. Mainly new barrels were used, complemented by the use of 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. |
WINE
ANALYSIS |
| Alc / Vol: |
14.5% |
| Acidity: |
5.6g/l |
| pH: |
3.74 |
| Residual sugar: |
2.3g/l |
| Extract: |
31.0g/l |
|
FOOD
MATCHES |
This wine dictates subtly
structured meals like roast duck,
poultry and fish with some
greens, as well as pastas like
Alfredo or a spicy Carbonara. |
Winemaker comments |
| COLOUR |
Deep ruby red. |
| NOSE |
Ripe, expressive and welcoming nose
gets one off to a good start. Additional
scents include light toasted tobacco,
liquorice, spice, herbs and of course red
and black berry fruit. |
| PALATE |
Youthful, lovely sweet entry with just
enough intensity and mouth feel. The
complexity of the aromatics is equaled in
the palate flavour profile. ItÕs not a
heavyweight and has moderate tannins.
One feels seduced by this modern styled
wineÕs elegance and balance rather than
by sheer power, as is the tendency from
this vintage. The fruit is sweet and
inviting, while the finish is long and
consistent. |
Awards
|
| John Platter 2010: |
4½ stars |
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|
