Just opening and decanting now, sticking with Burgundy again tonight. As it happens we had another Jadot (Dom. Gagey) bottle in the cellar, thought the Ladoix blanc was the only one previously.
Nose of bright spring cherry, supermarket not farmers market, tinge of alcohol.
Palate is gravel-cherry, sweet, this started quite tannic but mellowed a bit in the decanter. Drinking quite nice for an everyday Pinot, not overly complicated, but enjoyable. I'd say this bottle could hold easily for 6 years past vintage.
A good pairing with burgers hot off the grill tonight. Burgers are an interesting meal at our house, cats seem to like the aroma, so if you're not watching, paws will be sneaking up on your plate from an adjacent chair. 😺😼😺😼
24hr Update: Acidity had mellowed, I enjoyed the wine a little more after 3-4 hours of air than today, but was a great pairing with grilled pork chops tonight. — 7 years ago
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
Had at farmers table — 8 years ago
Nice little Natty BDX blend from Veneto. Fruit is ripe and suave but it’s got an earthy mineral edge. Acid and tannin both elevated, this was an absolutely perfect foil for a rich homemade pici pasta with sausage, pesto, and farmers market tomatoes. Forgot about it in the fridge for a couple days, mousy on day 3, so drink quickly. — 6 years ago
A delightful Pinot. On the nose graphite, smoke, licorice, and tart cherries. On the palate bright cherries, leather, dark berry medley, anise, sweet pipe tobacco, with hints of game. While not generally my style this is a PN I actually wouldn’t mind having on hand due to it being a quality, approachable expression. — 7 years ago
For as much ritz and glamour that is typically associated with Napa Valley, this week highlighted who the real rock stars are in their community... the farmers and firefighters. Haley Wight is the sixth generation to farm her family’s estate, the historic Lewelling Ranch in St. Helena, originally established by her great-great-great grandfather John Lewelling in 1864. She also happens to make extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon. So extraordinary, that I’m going to skip writing a note and just tell you that Robert Parker hits the nail on the head... “The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years. 96 points.” — 8 years ago
So good! Ripe juicy cherries and strawberries with a hint of spice, like Christmas. Medium-light body. So juicy it almost has a hint of sweetness, like eating the first strawberry of summer at your local farmers market. A little heavy for summer drinking but will be perfect for cool fall weather. — 8 years ago
Red wine, has a lot of different flavors at once. Recommend smelling produce at a farmers market to learn and train palette — 9 years ago
Probably my favorite WA wine! Found at Total Wine and Founding Farmers. A hint of sweet on the back of the tongue with a slight earthiness and jammy. Cedar also on the tongue with some blackberry notes. — 9 years ago
First candle lit dinner with Remi. JB and Ali got her down while Ali artfully cut and ate her steak with one hand. Also, the grill caught on fire, but JB saved the steaks at the perfect level of char. The spinach was delicious, and the dirt that Ali left on it from the farmers market will help tremendously with digestion. — 6 years ago
I’ve not had a Regusci in awhile. 2011 was certainly not one of Napa’s best vintages. However, this 11 while not the best Estate bottle I’ve had from them, is just drinking really well. It might have something to do with the fact I coravined it six months ago and laid it back down in my EuroCave. It likely advanced it some. I am more & more not sold on the longterm storage (9yrs) of a coravined bottle.
On the nose, nice soft dark spice, beautiful baking spices; round full vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Ripe, slightly stewed; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries with a hint of ripe cherries & strawberries. Dark moist, soils, dry crush limestone, used leather, hints of eucalyptus/mint, tree sap, light roasted used coffee grounds with dark fresh & withering flowers.
The body is round & full. The tannins are round, velvety and about 60% resolved. The length is nice, structure not what you expect from this producer & Napa but, the balance is lovely. The fruits are ripe with no baked quality as the nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, black spiced plum, blueberries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries and more cherries & strawberries than the nose. Mixed berry cola. nice soft dark spice, beautiful, layered baking spices; round full vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Mocha chocolate powder, caramel, dark moist, soils, dry crush limestone, volcanic minerals, used leather, hints of eucalyptus/mint, tree sap, light roasted used coffee grounds with dark fresh & withering flowers. The acidity flows like a river. The medium finish is; rich, ripe, well balanced and lasts a minute plus.
If I hadn’t coravined this bottle, I’d tell you to drink in the next 3-5 years. However, I think it’s got another 7-8 years of good drinking ahead. Properly stored of course.
Photos of, the long view from the Silverado Trail, their tasting bar & picnic area. If you make a midday appointment, reserve a picnic table and bring lunch to enjoy after your tasting. It’s a great spot with excellent views and ambiance. Last but not least, their (buy on the honor system) fruit & vegetable cart during the right time of the year. You see, the Regusci Family were farmers long before they got into the winemaking business.
— 7 years ago
1 October 2017. Popina, Brooklyn, NY. — 8 years ago
If a wine can be honest (& a farmers wine to boot), this is it. Even threw off a bit of sediment for such a youngin'. Much much better the 2nd day. Doesnt have the acidic snap that some of my fave Bourgueils do, but Im rootin for it — 8 years ago
Ok I get it, this is an exact replica of Gonon's St. Joseph but let's be honest, those fruity island wine characteristics still come through like a clown at the farmers market. For the money? Definitely in a bout against Gonon it's holding its value...just ever so slightly. — 8 years ago
Mmm mmm fresh! Perfect Sonoma farmers market vino ✨ — 9 years ago
John Gallo
Had it in LA at Farmers Market. $25 for a bottle. Clean and crisp. Tight! Serve well chilled. — 5 years ago