2001 Morgenster Lourens River Valley

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 88.4 points

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  7/26/2020 - forceberry wrote: 90 Points

  A blend of Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). 14,5% alcohol, 2,5 g/l residual sugar, 5,6 g/l acidity and pH 3,6.
  
  Deep and dark, only very slightly translucent pomegranate color with an evolved mahogany robe and a pale, almost clear rim. Very developed, rather savory and somewhat oxidative nose with aromas of beef jerky, smoky chipotle, some oxidative notes of soy sauce, light herbaceous notes of cooked bell pepper, a little bit of raisin, a sweet hint of ripe blackcurrants and a touch of leafy greenness. The wine is aged, tertiary and surprisingly intense on the palate with a medium body and flavors that feel pretty savory but also quite ripe and sweet-toned at the same time. Somewhat oxidative notes of beef jerky, some raisiny dark fruit, light smoky notes of chipotle, a little bit of wizened blackcurrants, an umami hint of soy sauce and a touch of blood. The overall feel is pretty balanced with the moderately high acidity and quite resolved medium tannins that slowly pile up on the gums. The finish is long, savory and somewhat warm with quite dry flavors of meaty umami, beef jerky, some sanguine iron, a little bit of raisin, light notes of chipotle, an evolved hint of wizened blackcurrants and a touch of earth.
  
  A quite aged Bordeaux blend and perhaps slightly past its peak with its somewhat oxidative qualities - yet the wine manages to offer quite a bit of pleasure for the style, coming across as not unlike a soft, warm-vintage Bordeaux with some age. Although not the flagship wine of the Morgenster estate, I was positively surprised how well the wine was performing at almost 20 years of age. Although the wine might've been performing a bit better some years ago, it is still pretty great and at 19€ offers terrific value for the money. Better to drink up sooner rather than later, though.

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  11/5/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 88 Points

  Green bell peppers, wood, dark fruit and spices on the nose. Well balanced and fresh, open, a little dry. Very good.

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  3/14/2014 - quickben Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Very good - really well integrated - good fruit and fine tannins - cassis and tobacco - lovely

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  2/25/2008 - andrewstevenson.com wrote: 89 Points

  Again, a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Not a terribly impressive nose, which feels very French, like a youngish claret. This really feels French on the palate. There’s lots of minerality, and it’s much better in the mouth than it is on the nose. Nice poise.

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