Profile
It isn't every day that we're able to find fantastic wines from older vintages, but when we do, we grab as much as we can! Such was the case with the 2012 vintage of Morgenster's Lourens River Valley, the flagship red from this highly-esteemed South African winery. Sourced from vines grown in the foothills of Helderberg Mountain, Morgenster Lourens River Valley is a classic Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc aged for at least 12 months in French oak.
Though Morgenster Estate's history stretches back at least 300 years, it wasn't until Giulio Bertrand purchased the property in 1992 that the winery's potential was fully revealed. Drawing on his Italian heritage and advice from Château Cheval Blanc's Pierre Lurton, Giulio determined that the Estate would be perfectly suited to the production of high-quality Bordeaux grape varieties - and we're sure you'll agree. Enjoy this complex, full-bodied red now or over the next 5 years at 18 C.
Smell
Incredibly aromatic and complex, with layers of ripe red and black plum, cassis, cherry, and strawberry jam. Underneath the fruit, there are notes of warm baking spices and wood smoke. Time in a decanter reveals hints of dried leaves, leather, and black tea, but the fruit is still the star of the show.
Taste
Full bodied and lush on the palate, with tons of red and black fruit and fantastic weight and texture. The tannins are well integrated but still going strong, and the fresh fruit notes carry through to the bright finish. It's surprisingly youthful but still shows the complexity you'd expect in a wine with a bit of bottle age. It's delicious now but would still improve with more time in bottle!
Pairing
Reach for this in place of a California Cab or a Bordeaux, and match with robust dishes like charcoal-grilled steak or lamb shanks braised in tomato and red wine.
