Luc helping his father with the plowing in Aÿ-Champagne, France.

 

We are very proud and excited to present our initial offering of the great wines of Morlet Family Vineyards.

 

Luc & Jodie Morlet produce vineyard designated wines and unique cuvées of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle from Sonoma County as well as Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley. Meticulously farmed vineyards and low-intervention winemaking techniques produce powerful yet refined wines.

By taking old world principles and adapting them to California, the Morlet style results in wines which are harmonious in their intensity, richness, complexity and refinement. It is this notion of harmony that inspired their label logo, based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau's sculpture entitled, 'L'Harmonie'. Handcrafted, the Morlet wines clearly display personality, seamless character and graceful ageing capability. These are the same principles that brought Luc impressive accolades and recognition for the wines he made between 1996 and 2006 at Newton Vineyard, Peter Michael Winery, and Staglin Family. Luc is, without doubt, one of the most highly-regarded winemakers in America.

The core of the Morlets' endeavor is the eight-acre vineyard they planted on the Knights Valley bench, near Calistoga and facing the western slopes of Mount St. Helena. In addition to these family acres, they direct the farming under long-term contract on seven acres in the Sonoma Coast, Bennett Valley and Dry Creek as well as five acres in Oakville, Napa Valley. In St. Helena, near the family home, the wines are crafted and matured in a naturally cool cave, which was drilled into the volcanic rock. The production is limited to what they can make with their own hands.

Luc Morlet represents the fourth 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. When Luc left France in 1996 to join his wife Jodie in her native California, his goal was to adapt the old world principles he knew so well to his new home. The Morlet style results in wines which are harmonious in their intensity, richness, complexity and refinement. Morlet wines clearly display personality, seamless character and graceful ageing capability.

All the wines are packed 6 bottles/case. Prices below are estimated per bottle, subject to currency and LCBO changes. Expect arrival in early 2010. Allocations are very small, and orders will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis.

Unfortunately, mixed cases are not available. See the reviews from Robert Parker below.

The Morlet website is http://www.morletwines.com

2008 La Proportion Doree, Sonoma County (Bordeaux Style White Wine) $93.95 ($563.70/case)

2007 Ma Princesse Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma $129.95 ($779.70/case)

2007 Mon Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley $231.95 ($1391.70/case)

2007 Coeur de Vallee To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa $262.95 ($1577.70/case)

2007 Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa $335.95 ($2015.70/case)

2007 Bouquet Garni Syrah, Bennet Valley, Sonoma $129.95 ($779.70/case)

 

Robert Parker on Morlet's 2007 vintage -
"I'll keep my tasting notes relatively short since the production of most of these wines is small. The Chardonnay production for the Ma Douce and Ma Princesse is 200-360 cases, but the Coup de Coeur is only three barrels, or 75 cases. The Pinot Noirs are all four barrels, or 100 cases, so notes are limited, but there are 480 cases of the absolutely sensational La Proportion Doree and just under 200 cases of each of the Cabernet Sauvignons. These are all the projects of well-known Luc Morlet, whose brother is the principal winemaker at Peter Michael after replacing Luc himself, who now has a consulting firm, in addition to this project under his own family name. Not surprisingly, Luc Morlet's Chardonnays all emerge from old Wente clones and have a style not terribly different from what one might expect from Peter Michael. His motto at the winery is, "Quality without compromise," and one sees that throughout these personality-filled wines."

The following notes are all from Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

La Proportion Doree, Sonoma County (Bordeaux Style White Wine)
2007 vintage "One of the most profound blends of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and in this case, 2% Muscadelle, is the 2007 La Proportion Doree (64% Semillon, 34% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle). An extraordinary nose of waxy, honeyed grapefruit, melons, figs, and quince is superb. In the mouth, a liqueur of rocks intermixed with quinine, quince, and waxy notes continues to cascade over the palate. This is a sensational, dry, incredibly complex wine that shows the potential that blends such as this can achieve. Drink it over the next 4-5 years". 95 points
2006 vintage - "One would be hard-pressed to find a better Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend than the 2006 La Proportion Doree, which is a blend of two-thirds Semillon and one-third Sauvignon with a touch of Muscadelle added in. Barrel-fermented and aged in wood, there are 580 cases of this wine, which has a gorgeous nose of honeyed figs, lemon grass, melon, and citrus oil. A full-bodied, dry, beautifully textured, superb white Bordeaux look-alike, it should drink well for 5-6 years." 94 points

"Luc Morlet has been traveling a lot, with his older brother taking over for him at Peter Michael, where he still remains in a quasi-consulting role. He seemed to be settled at Staglin Family Vineyards, but that lasted only a few months, and he is doing what he wants now, producing his own wines. These are the debut releases. (While there will be two Chardonnays added to the portfolio, most of this is from the Sonoma Coast.) These are very impressive wines."

2007 Ma Princesse Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
"The 2007 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is even more impressive. This comes from the Goldridge soils of the Russian River basin and has incredibly rich, honeyed nectarine notes intermixed with poached pear, brioche, and spice. The wine is full-bodied, with superb tart acid buttressing the wine's powerful, formidable, lean, endowed personality. The length is striking. It should drink well for 7-8 years. There are only 75 cases of this selection from the three best barrels in the cellar, and that wine has the most minerality, structure, and firmness of the three Chardonnays, but who will ever be able to find it?" (90-92) points


2007 Mon Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley
"All three Cabernet Sauvignons (close to 200 cases of each) are impressive wines. The Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Mon Chevalier, has notes of graphite, crushed rocks, blue and black fruits as well as terrific intensity, all in a style not totally dissimilar from what Luc Morlet made for his boss Peter Michael under the name Les Pavots. From a high hillside elevation in Knight's Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for 15 or more years." (90-92) points

2007 Coeur de Vallee T0-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville
"All three Cabernet Sauvignons (close to 200 cases of each) are impressive wines. From the To-Kalon Vineyard, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Another compelling wine from Luc Morlet, the seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol, and wood are all present in this deep purple-colored wine, which is made in small fermenters and has beautiful purity and depth." (93-95) points

2007 Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville
"All three Cabernet Sauvignons (close to 200 cases of each) are impressive wines. The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionement is from the Oakville Corridor. It displays beautiful licorice, creme de cassis, cedar, and smoke in a full-bodied, opulent, flamboyant, and exuberant style. This wine should turn out to be terrific and drink well for 20+ years." (94-96) points

2007 Bouquet Garni Syrah, Bennet Valley
"Notes of steak tartare, tar, pepper, and lard jump from the dense purple-colored 2007 Syrah Bouquet Garni from Bennett Vineyard. It is structured, very northern Rhone-like, and clearly a cool-climate Syrah. This wine should drink well for up to a decade." (91-94) points