Morgenster 'Lourens River Valley' Red 2015

Italian born Giulio Bertrand then in his mid 60s, bought the neglected Morgenster estate in 1992 and immediately set about transforming the historic property in Stellenbosch's Somerset West into a leading wine producer. He was the energetic dynamo behind things right up to his death in 2018 at the age of 91.

Bordeaux is the driving influence behind Morgenster Estate and they specialise in four Bordeaux red wine cultivars - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Director and Wine Consultant Pierre Lurton, of Cheval Blanc and d'Yquem fame, works in tandem with resident Winemaker Henry Kotzé and viticulturist Bob Hobson, to create the ultimate in Bordeaux style blends.

Giulio's belief that simplicy rules is shared by winemaker Henry Kotzé and means that grapes grown in the vineyards are picked at full ripeness subject to minimum manipulation. This is reflected in the footprint and functionality of the cellar. Lurton visits the farm twice a year and he and his wine making team at Cheval Blanc are intricately involved in critical decisions, in particular barrel selection and blending. Unlike the majority of producers Morgenster hold back their wines and age them in their own cellars and only release when they think they are ready to drink, so we are able to offer a mature, developed and complex wine.