This is in line with owner Giulio Bertrand’s vision 20 years ago, when he set out, with the assistance of consulting winemaker Pierre Lurton of Chateau Cheval Blanc, to produce wines of the highest quality which would age beautifully.
The Estate follows the practice in Europe of releasing Bordeaux-style red wines only when they have had the benefits of ageing perfectly. Because of the quantity of early vintages that owner Giulio Bertrand has purposely held back in his cellar over the years, Morgenster has a unique offering in South Africa.
Bertrand says: “We had to be patient for a long time, but now we are able to release saleable quantities of early vintages that are showing their complexities and personalities after the benefit of ageing. In my life, I have been lucky enough to drink some of the best wines ever made; enjoyed with great food; so this became my dream - to produce Bordeaux style wines at Morgenster that would age well and could be enjoyed for many years to come. Recently we have been doing Master classes on our early vintages in Europe, the United States and the Far East and have had an overwhelming response. People are surprised at how youthful they still are and we know that most of our older wines will continue to develop well”.
Morgenster has several vintages available in quantities that allow the development of new markets and the continuity of supply: flagship Morgenster 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009 and Lourens River Valley 2001 - 2009.
Because its wines need time to develop to show their personalities, Morgenster focuses on the earlier ones, leaving more recent vintages to mature and develop in the cellar. Henry Kotzé, Morgenster’s winemaker, says: “We release only a small portion of each vintage after four years and save the majority of wines for ageing, evaluating them at six monthly intervals to determine their progression. We release them onto the market in stages when we feel that they are developing towards their best”.
Bertrand started implementing his dream over 20 years ago when he planted just two blocks, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. He managed to persuade Pierre Lurton of Chateau Cheval Blanc to come to Morgenster to experienceits magic and that was the start of their cooperation, including Lurton being a member of the Morgenster board of directors. “With the expertise of Pierre, and the help of many others, I set out to do something different in South Africa. My first harvest at Morgenster was in 1998 and my 17th harvest is now in the cellar”, Bertrand says.
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