THE STATUS of Morgenster as one of South Africa’s top cellars hinges largely on the reputation of the Estate Reserve, a top class Bordeaux-style combo and one of the Top 10 red blends overall in the SA Wine Classification. Hall of Fame. R490 a bottle for the 2013 vintage. Of late, however, the Somerset West property’s single varietals have been grabbing as much attention at a fraction of the price.

R100 a bottle for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Merlot, R110pb for the Cab Franc and the Sangiovese… The 2014 Cabernet scored 91/100 on Winemag, and wow has the Cabernet Franc been shining: first a Top 6 spot for the (maiden) 2015 at the Cab Franc Challenge 2018, then, for the current-release 2016, 93/100 on Winemag and a gold medal at the 2019 Cab Franc Challenge – all ratings here.

After the recent passing of Italian Giulio Bertrand, founder of the modern-day wine and olive oil brand on a farm in the Helderberg with a history dating back to the early 1700s, it’s been a time of regrouping, replanting and rebuilding as needs be, now with Bertrand’s daughters Alessandra and Federica at the helm. Among the events to look forward to is the opening of the new accommodation offering – still a work in progress at the time of writing.

Morgenster Cabernet Franc 2016
WO Stellenbosch. Dry vintage. Barrel-matured for 12 months. Made in an accessible, fruit-driven style.
Alc 14 | RS 3.6 | TA 5.8 | ph 3.7
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: deep ruby purple; on the nose, lush cassis, concentrated fruit and cinnamon with peanut and clove-like spice; on the palate, smooth, fine tannins, black currants, cherries and plums with undertones of warm spice and tobacco.
Cellaring: a wine to be enjoyed soon after release.
Food Suggestions: roasted lamb cutlets, or a lemon and herb chicken with mielie pap and smoor.
R110pb at the cellar door in Somerset West.