Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality regional South African wines. Located in prestigious Stellenbosch, Morgenster first came onto my wine radar back in 2006 when I was wine buyer and head sommelier at Michelin-starred Orrery restaurant in Marylebone, London. I was introduced to this wonderful vineyard by James Yeo, who was one of my wine suppliers and a specialist in boutique South African wines.

Lourens River Valley is a true reflection of the terroir. Vineyard sites are married with clonal and cultivar selection resulting in the elegant complexity of this full-bodied red wine. The Bertrand family’s passion and dedication is shown through their winemaking and to enjoy this classic Bordeaux blend red.

This wine has spent 18 months in new and older French oak barrels. Vibrant red from prestigious Stellenbosch in South Africa, leafy and herbaceous thanks to the high proportion of Cabernet Franc, but also full of blueberries and cassis and elegantly perfumed with coffee and rose petals.

This blend is typically South African: friendly, inviting, and accessible. Given the nature of South Africans, they like anything over a fire. So, my ideal would be to pair it with roasted lamb cutlets and greens, or a char-grilled lemon and herb chicken with all the trimmings.

Best enjoyed at room temperature and at least one hour after decanting and in a convivial atmosphere.