Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The is from Morlet Families inaugural vintage of 2006. I must say it’s beautiful with a fair amount more of life ahead. The nose reveals dark cassis and a good presence of cinnamon stick. Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, light clove & cinnamon, dark fresh florals and violets. The nose is intoxicating! The body is round, ripe and rich. The tannins nicely resolved. The structure, balance, tension and length are in an excellent spot. Mmmmm! Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, a touch of bramble, light clove & cinnamon stick, dark rich soils, dry crushed rocks, a little leather, dark fresh florals & violets. The acidity is a waterfall on the palate. The finish is; spectacular elegance, richness, balance and lasts two minutes. One of the best CA Pinot’s we’ve had in a very long time. It deserves an amen & a hallelujah! I paid $65 for this amazing wine 9 years after it’s release (the 2015 released at $115); which brings me back around to a repetitive point of mine. Look for great wines on the secondary market and pay less than producers current release pricing. That is to say, it will aid in keeping you from drinking your new releases too young that are not nearly ready to enjoy! If you are not doing this, you are doing a disservice to your palate and your wine budget. Photos of; their old historical brick building they’ve converted into their winery, interior tasting area, Luc Morlet and their Estate vines. Producer notes and history...Winemaker Luc Morlet is a fifth-generation of a French winemaking family. Growing up in Avenay-Val d’Or, he spent all his spare time working on his family’s estate. His university studies of viticulture and winemaking were put into practice during years of work in vineyards and wineries in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the south of France. Luc left France in 1996 to join his wife Jodie in her native California. Starting in 2006, Luc Morlet began handcrafting Morlet vineyard designated wines and cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley. As well as; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, a white Bordeaux-style blend and a Late Harvest Sémillon from Sonoma County. Luc is also the brother of Nicolas Morlet the Winemaker of Peter Michael fame. Luc is another producer I respect for his meticulous farming and low intervention winemaking techniques. While his roots are based out of France, he has adapted his skills well to the Napa Valley soils and climate. Morlet styles his wines in a harmonious and refined fashion. Their logo is based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau’s sculpture entitled, ‘L’Harmonie.’ In August 2010, Luc and and his wife Jodie purchased an estate, just north of the town of St. Helena. Since then, they have converted the historic stone building, built in 1880, into their family winery. The building was originally the Castner Winery that closed during Prohibition. Morlet is located St. Helena Appellation. The estate is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and is the exclusive fruit source for their ‘Morlet Estate’ label. The Morlet’s ‘Mon Chevalier’ vineyard is located on the hillsides of Knights Valley, overlooking the western slopes of Mount St. Helena. The vineyard benefits from their proximity to the mountain. Warm and windy climate is ideal for the long ripening of the red Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They recently planted the 20 acre ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard. These Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines are located on the Oakville Bench, If one such exists. I read a quote from a grower who has been growing in Oakville for many years. He said, “the only bench in Oakville is the one in front of the Oakville Grocery Store.” While it may or may not be true, it’s certainly a funny quote. In addition to these family acres, they buy from farmers under long-term contracts in Fort Ross-Seaview, Russian River Valley, Bennett Valley, Dry Creek and Napa Valley. All of the Morlet’s wines are handcrafted using classical Burgundy and Bordeaux winemaking techniques and are matured in 100% French oak barrels. — 8 years ago

Michael Walker

9.6

Still waiting on this one. Pretty acidic. I think we got snowed — 9 years ago

David Sanchez

8.9

Wow, a beautifully aged chardonnay. Held up very well, bringing out the nuttiness, vanilla and spices of an aged Chard. Paired great with a Fungi y pollo risotto which I don't believe it would have done in its prime. I'm so pleased with the way this wine aged. — 9 years ago

with Veronica

John Cook

9.2

Half acre makes a great aromatic brew in the D.Cutter. You would be well off having one or two on a sunny day because it's not as heavy as some of its other IPA compatriots! — 10 years ago

Michael Coats

10

Ten year old Pinot held up wonderfully — 10 years ago

Gerhard Ziemer

9.0

Couldn't resist snapping a photo of this at WOPN.... With just one acre for this vineyard, I guess it qualifies as a rarity..... Dense, tannic, built to age, hard to really know what is going to happen..... — 10 years ago

Alison Crowe

Winemaker/Partner Garnet Vineayrds

9.7

Nice one! Thanks, Jayson! — 10 years ago

with Jennifer

Courtney Cochran

Sommelier/Host hiptastes.com

9.7

*ultimate pizza wine alert*
It's like a four-chair turn on The Voice, if the judges were all pies seeking their perfect match...stay with me...this one manages to have it all, from blk olive, bell pepper, pepperoni, even tart-sweet tomato and portobello. It's also juicy and begs another sip...yep, looks like it's got it all, so long as you've got the will to fork over a twenty to pair with your pie :/ — 11 years ago

Courtney Holmes

9.8

Raisin, prune - dried fruits — 11 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.4

Scenes from last night’s dinner:
‘15 Accendo Sauvignon Blanc
‘13 Relic Ritual (not pictured)
‘12 Entre Nous Estate
‘12 Entre Nous Secret Acre
‘13 Entre Nous Secret Acre
‘12 Checkerboard Estate (Aurora)
‘12 Mithra Mt. Veeder
‘98 Chateau d’Yquem
‘16 Brilliant Mistake Sauv Blanc
‘06 Detert Cab Sauv

Thank you @David L @Shawn R @Martin G Rivard @Joe Lucca - for coming to Brooklyn on a Sunday night!

————
This wine is super refined and elegant. The amount of acid was noticeable at this point - and the tannins are strong even after a four plus hour decant. This is one for the long haul. It was cool to taste this side by side with the ‘12 vintage as well as next to the ‘12 regular Estate. All so different yet all so good. Such wonderful wines it’s sad they’re no longer making them. — 8 years ago

with Martin, David and 2 others

Michelle Baily

9.2

Fairly expensive. Not too sweet. — 8 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.5

You can taste the similarities to Hundred Acre that Jayson Woodbridge built in here. Just like the label on the bottle, the palate is velvet, Black Forest cake, espresso, smoke, sweet oak, Cuban cigar, fresh maple syrup. Needs a decade. But still, right now it's.... Boom 💥 — 8 years ago

with Frank, Kevin and 1 other

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Wow. Wow. Truly a stunning wine. And it's not even one of their top bottlings. Classic Riesling nose. Juicy on the palate with great aromatics. Balanced fruit. Long long juicy finish. Most producers would be thrilled to call this their top wine. Wow. Twenty five bucks or so. — 9 years ago

Debbie Shing

8.9

Thanks @eugene_vin for this bottle! Fleshy, rich Chardonnay, very Meursault-like in style w toasty nuts, floral & spice complexity. The intensity & ripe nature of the fruit flavours (vs subtlety) being one of its only signs of New World-ness. Yummy. — 10 years ago

Alex Wettersten

9.7

2004. One of my favorite sparkling wines. So robust. — 10 years ago

Boich Family Cellar

9.8

One of our favs. Love the fruit forward feel. Finishes very well. — 10 years ago

Tim Shaw

9.8

I don't even have a frame of reference for how incredible this wine is !!! The closest was an Ornellaia I had but that was twenty years ago. Powerful, taut, but balanced. Bought two bottles so I can try one in 10 years or so. — 10 years ago

Laura Fashoda

9.5

Bright cherry and rose petals. Always one of my favorites — 10 years ago

Beth Nelson

9.0

Wine glasses one of the first things unpacked! — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

Fresh and bright white grapefruit and green melon fruit Mary is the matriarch and this 14 acre vineyard is the first one the family purchased in the 1960's a bit of a musky note lemon citrus and gravelly mineral notes very fresh and zesty finish. Leaves the tongue salivating for food. Finish 40+ excellent — 12 years ago

Eric Vrtis

9.5

I have never tasted a better Cabernet Franc. So cab franc-y in it's pepper and Earth, yet so dense and fruity. More perfectly ripe blueberries and fragrant violets than one could dream up. — 8 years ago

Dana Wagner

9.5

Phenomenal. Drinking perfectly after twenty-one years. Worth the wait. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

First of the two blind Zinfandel blends paired with our turkey burgers and black bean veggie burgers. Deep garnet red. A bit herbal on the nose with dark fruits that became stronger with air. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and light plus to medium bodied. Rich and plush attack, drinking its best between hour one and two. Notes of strawberry jam, boysenberries, blackcurrants, bramble berries, blue fruits, asian spices and a touch of cocoa. Finish lingers for quite a bit. Drink till 2019.

This Prisoner was the first vintage under their new ownership (no longer with Orin Swift). This vintage is made up of 51% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Charbono, 1% Malbec and 1% Grenache. Needed twenty minutes or so to open up but beautiful fruits after that. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Ron R

9.8

At this point, while my nerve endings have left the building. THIS bad boy came to play ball.
The nose is sexy with caramel, linze torte and spice box. Palette is lithe and compact. Ultra ripe fruits that are not coying. Huge length. Sense of place shines through. The night is still young, but this one is knocking very hard on the door of brilliance. Wifey concurs. — 9 years ago

with Martin

JeremyC

9.2

Whoa!!!! I managed to find the ONE acre of Rousanne in the StaCruzMtns!!! Delicious. Waxy viscosity adds a super fun complexity to the wine. Floral. Impressive wine!!! — 9 years ago

Joan Wamae

9.1

Had this at the restaurant in the Birchwood, South Africa - The Grill at One Twenty. Excellent! — 10 years ago

Nurseblondie

9.0

Liquor depot. Very good for the price! — 10 years ago

Lara Dunphy Guest

Director Sales & Marketing Black Cordon Vineyards, Sixteen by Twenty Wines

9.4

This Pinot from Anderson Valley has been in top form lately and it is truly one of my favorites. I think earth-soaked cherry is the best way to describe it. It's a cab-lover's Pinot with complexity, intense flavor, and a full mouthfeel that isn't always easy to find in California Pinots. I would definitely pop the cork on one of these and see how it has matured since its release. The earthy undertones make me happy. — 10 years ago

Eric L.

9.6

Really fantastic. — 11 years ago

Vincent D'Itri

10

Literally one of the best Zinfandels (and wine overall) I've ever had. Whatever Duane Rieder is doing bringing grapes back to Pittsburgh from California, it's working. Dark, smokey and jammy. Reasonable at $62 restaurant pricing. Found it at Original Fish Market. — 12 years ago