MORGENSTER 2003
The composition of this wine begins in the vineyard where careful
pruning and canopy management ensures optimal shoot and bunch positioning.
The goal is to ensure that individual vines are in perfect balance.
Consistent viticultural practices combined with experimental winemaking
become the precursors for specific site selection for this, our flagship
estate blend. The selection process continues through harvest,
hand-sorting of bunches as they enter the cellar and again after barrel
maturation. The rigorous attention to detail ensures complexity, tannin
structure and above all, elegance that differentiates the Morgenster
blend.
This, our third vintage under the Morgenster label, we consider the
best to date. Older vines offer a wine with great complexity and classic
elegance. Our Olive oil has been called "Liquid Gold", this is
our "Liquid Velvet".
VINEYARD
REGION |
Stellenbosch
Helderberg ward |
VINTAGE
CONDITIONS |
An outstanding vintage offered concentrated,
structured and generous reds. Even growth and ripening resulted in
ripe tannin structure and good skin concentration. |
GRAPE
VARIETIES |
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot |
| MATURATION |
Individual components matured for 13 months in
central French forest oak; 90% new. 25% of the Merlot and Cabernet
franc underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel |
WINE
ANALYSIS |
| Alc / Vol: |
13.5% |
| Acidity: |
5.9g/l |
| pH: |
3.65 |
| Residual sugar: |
<2.5g/l |
| Extract: |
31.0g/l |
|
FOOD
MATCHES |
Think rich and bold when looking to match this
wine; game, venison, lamb, goats' milk and mature cheese and
interesting salad leaves |
Winemaker comments by
Marius Lategan |
| COLOUR |
Saturated ruby red |
| NOSE |
Sexy aromas of dark berries, cassis and kirsch, hints of
chocolate and mocha |
| PALATE |
The palate impression offers ripe fruit, bedded in finely
knitted ripe tannins. All these combine to assail the palate with a
level of density, structure and viscosity to offer an outstanding
mouth-feel. A liquid velvet texture is transformed by a rocky,
minerally element. A complete wine with a classic elegance and
excellent finish. |
Awards
|
| Platter Guide: |
4½ Stars |
| Wine Magazine: |
4 Stars |
| Calyon Trophy: |
Top 10 |
| Steve Tanzer: |
91+ points |
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