Maestro Blue

Serve with seared beef fillet and a peppercorn sauce.

De Morgenzon is Dutch for the morning sun a fitting name for this boutique property high on the Stellenboschkloof which is the first to be touched by the rising sun's rays. De Morgenzon's high altitude vineyards command sweeping views of Table Mountain and Cape Point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Embracing the philosophy that a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive environment produces infinitely better grapes proprietors Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum have established De Morgenzon as a 91 hectare garden interspersed with 55 hectares of carefully tended vineyards where abundant wildflowers flourish between the vines. The vineyards are currently farmed naturally and the estate is in the process of converting to organic farming.

These vineyards are situated on the farm DeMorgenzon in the Stellenboschkloof. Soils are mostly weathered granite which gives the resultant wines a natural exuberance and youthful vigour. Planted in 2004 the trellised vineyard is managed to ensure natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. A cold, wet winter preceding the 2021 growing season resulted in delayed budburst and a similarly delayed harvest. Flavour development peaked early resulting in full-flavoured, ripe styled Chardonnays with healthy levels of natural acidity this year.

Maturation was for a total of 18 months in French oak, in a selection of 300 litre casks and 3000 litre Foudres. The wine was bottled with minimal fining and a minimal filtration.

Fruit was carefully hand sorted and naturally fermented, whole berry. Post fermentation maceration was allowed for two weeks, followed by gentle pressing.