Last week Morgenster Olive and Wine Estate hosted a media event to launch a new wine, new labels, and the world’s most up to date olive press. I was unable to attend, and was sent a media statement by Morgenster Global Sales and Marketing Manager Jason de Beer, whom I met at a recent Morgenster wine and olive oil tasting at OpenWine.

New olive press

A state-of-the-art Pieralisi olive press has been installed at Morgenster, in time for the 2017 olive harvest. Morgenster owner Giulio Bertrand said of the benefit of using the new olive press: ‘It is the first of its kind in South Africa and is very efficient so we retain even better flavours than before. The quality of our 2017 olive oil is fantastic’. 

New wine labels 

Three of the Morgenster wine range labels have been updated:

#  The Bordeaux blends Morgenster Reserve 2013 (flagship red Bordeaux blend, of 39% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, and 13% Cabernet Franc. Nose of plum, red and black berry, coffee with toffee and pencil shavings, cigar box, and cassis. Cost around R405); the Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2013 (this wine lets the fruit do the talking, with a balance in tannins and acidity. Blend of 47% Merlot, 34 % Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nose of black and red cherries, strawberry, shortcake, and cassis, with liquorice, vanilla, and sweet cinnamon. Palate of ripe fruit. Sells at R196); and Morgenster White Reserve 2015 (grapes from Schapenberg. Blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon. Nose of verbena, white peach, apricot, and jasmine, with notes of pineapple, orange flower, and stone fruit, following through to the palate. Price R225,50)

#   The Italian Cultivar range, the names linking to well-known Italian operas, the first label changes being for the Morgenster Tosca 2014 (wine made in Super Tuscan style, with a blend of 75% Sangiovese, 12,5% Merlot, and 12,5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Nose of fruit and sweet spices. Palate of velvet tannins naturally balanced with acidity and fruit sweetness. Sells at R236.); Morgenster Nabucco 2014 (see below); and Morgenster Caruso 2017. (Rosé made of Sangiovese, with the ‘taste of summer in Italy’, according to Bertrand. Nose of sweet black cherry and pomegranate, with hints of spice, Rooibos Tea and candy floss. Palate has soft velvet feel, with fresh berries, and cranberry. Sells at R110). 

#   Single varietal wines Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (riper picking, with tropical flavours of litchi, melon, mango, and herbs. Palate balanced with soft acidity,  and sweet fruit concentration. Costs R80), and Morgenster Sangiovese 2017 (described as ‘Morgenster’s version of Chianti’. An anytime, anywhere wine, which is light, fresh, and fruit-driven.  Nose offers cassis, cherry, raspberry, coffee, almond and vanilla, with rose petals, and lavender. Palate of cherry and prunes, with soft tannins and acidity. Price of R105).

First certified ‘Single Vineyard’ wine 

Morgenster Nabucco 2014 is the first certified ‘Single Vineyard’ wine, made from Nebellio grapes, and is ‘regarded as the benchmark for wines from this cultivar made in South Africa‘. The nose gives spice and earth flavours, with lilac, thyme, lavender, and basil flower, and cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The palate has complex flavours, with sweet strawberry, pomegranate, and cherry. RSP of R351. 

Bertrand, originally from Piedmont, bought Morgenster in Somerset West in 1992. The quality of his wines and premium Extra Virgin olive oils reflect his philosophy of ‘Quality without compromise’. 

Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate, Somerset West. Tel (021) 852-1738. www.morgenster.co.za  Twitter: @Morgenster_SA  Instagram: @morgenster_sa

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter: @Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein