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. — 7 years ago

Andy Steinman

9.0

Surprising. Blind I called it as OR 2013. Really beautiful light, floral and fragrant. — 8 years ago

Richard Hanke

9.4

Love the forest floor aroma — 8 years ago

Rice Noel

9.1

Very tasteful for a windy night — 9 years ago

Jordana Langlois

9.3

Crisp, lemon, nice acidity, refreshing! Great on a warm summer afternoon! — 10 years ago

Elaine Poucher

9.7

Warm and smooth on a cold windy day. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.2

This is from esporao this name means to whistle because of the windy nature of this region — 10 years ago

Erika Napier

9.9

Loved this blackberry wine. My favorite! — 11 years ago

Cubby Dimling

9.1

its chinon and a baked potato for the windy blustery ides of march, that's dinner since my boo is away and all there's to do is watch game of thrones and work harder and sleep deep dreams that you can only have when you sleep alone. I really enjoy this but lately everything tastes light and characterless. maybe I'm just not listening enough — 11 years ago

Carol Kerr

9.5

Had 2007 Syrah on my birthday, yum! — 7 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.0

Wow, is this a nice way to start the night. Gorgeous Pinot with a nose that has hints of strawberries and that delicate herbal fragrance you get from the fields on warm windy day. Beautiful texture, almost a dry feel as it fills the palate - just lovely. — 7 years ago

with Brad, Mike and 2 others

Phillip jones

9.6

Absolutely a class act and the best value I've had — 8 years ago

Lynette Neel

9.7

Light sparkling cider — 8 years ago

Brent Mayeaux

Production Burn Cottage Vineyard

9.1

Really loving this. Vibrant nose of carbonic red fruit/cherry/raspberry, flowers/hibiscus/rose, savoury herbs. Drinking it is very enjoyable. The fruit is more sour cherry/cranberry balanced by those herb notes and with some dirt/earth minerality. Blind, I would probably call this Beaujolais. — 8 years ago

Robin Ove

8.9

The unpacked is very crips and fruity. — 9 years ago

Windy Chien

9.5

Julia calls this a Windy wine. Gasoline! — 10 years ago

Damien Lehoux

9.8

"Liquid rocks". Cool climate Riesling. 450 meters high, super windy vineyard. The 2013s are insane. — 10 years ago

Tsuyoshi Enoki

Sake Specialist Hasegawa Sake Shop Tokyo

9.1

Name:" Kaze no mori", windy woods/ subtitle: " Alpha"/ brewery: Aburacho shuzou/ region: Nara prefecture/ category: low alcohol junmai unpasturised/ cépage:Akitsuho polish rate: 65%/fresh, juicy, comfortable, hint of bubbles. Nice balance. — 10 years ago

Kimberly Sons

9.9

Royal Raspberry — 11 years ago

Mary Hemphill

9.5

Windy Wine - Peanut Butter & Jelly! 😋🍇 — 7 years ago

Elizabeth Rice

9.0

From my favorite Washington winery, Long Shadows Vintners. Fresh citrus fruit with a rich core. Almost feels like a Viognier but with healthy acidity. Delicious on a windy cool evening on a hotel boat in Sacramento :) — 7 years ago

Harris Goldberg

9.1

Another great Pinot from Windy Oaks. Never disappoints. This was very subtle/elegant — 7 years ago

John Clark

9.6

Refreshing and crisp with a smooth taste. Perfect for a sunny afternoon. — 8 years ago

Andorra Nameistoolongovich

9.1

Loved this estate ever since it was windy hill winery and we walked away with cases of an 06 Pinot for 5-6$ a bottle. This 2010 is just as good! — 8 years ago

Scott Tallman

9.1

Full bodied with great acid. Nice wine for a rainy & windy Seattle evening. — 9 years ago

with Sheela

Greg Adams

8.9

Enjoyed it with a Mac n Cheese made with Gorgonzola, sharp aged cheddar, and smoked ham. Nice pairing. — 9 years ago

with Deseret

Anders Thulin

9.0

Smell- massive blackberry, and some eucalyptus?
Taste- subtle blackberry and stronger on the eucalyptus. Classy. — 10 years ago

Eric L.

9.3

Upgrading my score...it really blossomed after a few hours of air. — 10 years ago

Jaime kowan

9.5

Love this stuff...fresh burst of acidity with the. Aromatics of pear, peach and honey.... Graham crackers... No I haven't gone crackers . This Godello is growing at 600 to 650 meters on really steep slopes, eastern side. Rocky quartz soils with loads of red clay a spectacular place that takes quite a while to get to by way of a windy steep narrow road. It really makes you appreciate it — 11 years ago

Amy Larkowski

9.0

Pinot Days LA Fall 2012 — 11 years ago