After having sampled the famous, and award winning Morgenster olive oil and seen the small but perfectly formed estate in Marius’ V8 Landrover, we sat down with their two wines…

With advice from Cheval Blanc’s winemaker, Morgenster are serious about producing Bordeaux styles rather than the chocolatey Cape Cabernets that are so popular.

This their flagship, is predominantly Cabernet sauvignon with some Cabernet franc and Merlot, and is made in tiny quantities, I was lucky enough to taste the newly assembled Morgenster 2006 from tank – the tank, as they only make one!

Morgenster 2003.

The nose gives gamey meaty hints that translate into leather and cigarbox on the palate overlaying the decadent black cherry fruit. The tannin, rather than the soft chocolatey sort that I have been getting used to here in the Cape, are large and round, giving a texture more like saddle leather than Dairy Milk!

The finish is long with beautifully balanced acidity, overall it reminds me of a good left bank Bordeaux, perhaps with more fruit and alcohol, hinting at the warmer climate the ripening the grapes.

This isn’t a cheapie though, at £25 it’s one to stash in you cellar for special (imported into UK by Yeo & Co.)