| 2008-01-29 16:23 |
IWC:
By Stephen Tanzer
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue #131, March/April 2007)
(Morgenster Estate Morgenster Stellenbosch) ($35; 39% cabernet sauvignon, 31% cabernet franc and 30% merlot) Saturated ruby-red. Pungent, claret-like aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, mint and underbrush, with a slightly exotic berry and baking spice character; there's something vaguely Cheval Blanc-like about this (no coincidence, as Cheval's estate manager Pierre Lurton advises here). Supple, plump and sweet, with a silky texture leavened by subtle vinosity. Offers a compelling combination of South African ripeness and sappy freshness. Finishes with substantial, broad, palate-dusting tannins and more thrust and length than the Lourens River Valley wine. This blend of merlot and the two cabernets has quickly become one of South Africa's top bottlings. (The Wild Grape, Burke, VA) 91(+?) points |