Morgan

Morgan Winery was one of the first to establish themselves under the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA which was granted status in the early 1990’s. It was 1996 when Dan and Donna Lee invested in 65 acres of property near the Monterey Bay to plant their vineyards. However when the Morgan vineyards were first planted the soil was not in its optimal condition. They decided to enhance the land with organic nutrients and in 2001 they became the first Certified Organic vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. While some Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris is planted, the bulk of Morgan wines are produced from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Morgan’s Double L vineyard is their pride and joy and the origin of their flagship Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. These wines are consistently at the top of our Morgan wine ratings. The proximity to the Monterey Bay provides a cool, nighttime fog protecting the vineyard plantings while the warmer days can elicit wonderful fruit and acidity from the grapes leading to well balanced and elegant wines. Take a look below for our full compilation of Morgan wine reviews.

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Morgan 2002 Hat Trick Double L Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $50

This low production barrel selection from Morgan's Double L Vineyard is one of the best Chards of the vintage. Has everything Double L has, but more. Fabulous weight and density, and tiers of flavors ranging from pineapples through peaches, creme brulee and butterscotch. Fat, almost meaty, yet dry, elegant and refined. — S.H. (5/1/2005)

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Morgan 2004 Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $35

I liked Morgan’s Double L Chard for its Chablis-like character. This wine is more so. It’s drier, more acidic and more elegant, but there’s nothing lean about the power of its core of tropical fruit, which detonates on the palate and doesn’t stop. There’s fascination with every sip, as the wine slowly changes in the glass. This is a great wine and showcases the… — S.H. (4/1/2006)

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Morgan 2004 Double L Vineyard Hat Trick Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Acidity and minerals are the hallmarks of this exciting Chardonnay. Of course, you’ll find the ripe tropical fruit and new oak and lees of other Chardonnays, but it’s really that tanginess that attracts. Currently the wine shows primary flavors of mangoes and papayas, but it would not surprise me if it ages well beyond five years. — S.H. (12/1/2006)

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Morgan 2006 Double L Vineyard Hat Trick Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Price $65

Hat Trick is the best of the best of Morgan’s estate vineyard, which is in the chilliest northwestern part of the Highlands. Acidity stars, giving the wine a brilliant crispness that’s so clean and fine. Barrel fermented in one-third new French oak, the wine is incredibly rich and leesy. The terroir has coaxed out complex layers of pineapples, Meyer lemons, limes… — S.H. (7/1/2008)

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Morgan 2000 Tierra Mar Syrah (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $35

This Syrah goes beyond mere berry-cherry flavors to achieve real richness, depth and complexity. It also demonstrates the possibilities of this appellation for Syrah. Enormous in the mouth, with endlessly changing fruit, mocha, grilled meat, dried herb and pepper flavors that are wrapped in fine, soft tannins. Compelling now, but with the stuffing and balance to… — S.H. (12/1/2003)

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Morgan 2003 Double L Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $50

Morgan has released three single-vineyard ’03 Pinots, and it’s hard, fun work choosing the best. For me, it’s the Double L. It’s a firm, fairly tannic and dry wine, rich, balanced and intricately structured. Combines the taste of cherries, blackberries and coffee with smoky oak to offer intensely complex pleasure now. Should develop well over several years. — S.H. (12/15/2005)

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Morgan 2005 Double L Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Price $55

From Dan Lee’s personal vineyard, one of the coolest and most northerly in the appellation. Concentrated and intense, a dry, crisp wine of great depth and balance. The flavors of cherries, cranberries, raspberries, cola, root beer, red currants and spices detonate on the palate; the finish is fabulously long. — S.H. (10/1/2007)

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Morgan 2009 Double L Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Price $50

Another dramatically layered Pinot Noir from this fine producer and vineyard, in the Central Coast. A remarkably consistent bottling over the years, and now the ’09 is perhaps the ripest and purest yet, showing deep flavors of berries, licorice, sandalwood and tangy Indian spices. It’s a big, powerful wine, yet never loses graceful subtlety and elegance. Should… — S.H. (12/31/2011)

Most Reviewed Designations

Cotes du Crow’s Double L Vineyard Garys' Vineyard Hat Trick Double L Vineyard Highland Metallico Metallico Un-Oaked R&D Franscioni Vineyard Rosella’s Vineyard Tierra Mar Twelve Clones

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Red Blend Rhône-style Red Blend Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Syrah Syrah-Grenache

2010 Bogle Old Vine

What a delicious Zin this is. Sourced from the warm climates of Lodi and…

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