Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 326,715 strong:

Register Today!

Community Review

Morgenster Lourens River Lalley Merlot Blend 2003

Morgenster Lourens River Lalley Merlot Blend 2003
Morgenster Lourens River Lalley Merlot Blend 2003

W.O., South Africa



Community Score: 4.5/5
Community Reviews: 2
 
Price: $27.25
Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 14%
 

Drink: 2008-2015

Bottle size: 750 ml
Winery: Morgenster Lourens River Lalley

Mymi Thesingingsommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

In 1992, Giulio Bertrand retired to South Africa from Italy and bought the Morgenster historic farm in Sommerset West, 35 minutes from Cape Town at the Gateway to the Western Cape wine growing region. Instead of retiring, he created the Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate.
The Estate's wine consultant is no other than Pierre Lurton, managing director of St-Émillion's fabulous Château Cheval Blanc.
If you like your right bank Bordeaux, this is a wine for you!
The blend varies from vintage to vintage and the 2003 is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.
In the glass, it is deep deep ruby red, a little 'tuilé' with languorous legs.
The nose is sumptuous and meaty. Full of cherry, tobacco, cedar, vanilla poundcake and cassis. There is also a subtle marine air aroma.
On the palate, it is voluptuous, expansive, warm and dry with sour cherry jam and stewed plum notes. The high alcohol content (14%ABV) washes away the chewy tannins and the bright acidity leaving you with a lengthy dark cocoa finish.
This is a food wine! Stunning with a roasted potato, peppers sun-dried tomatoe and sausage dish! Think earthy Mediterranean Feasts!
Santé!
 

  


Read Natalie's Full Review

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Deu la Deu White Wine
Alvarinho 2022,
Monção E Melgaço, Vinho Verde D.O.C. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 326,715 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  

337,621

WINE
REVIEWS

326,715

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award