Winemaker notes
Located on the river bench of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, this hillside vineyard benefits from ideal conditions for the Chardonnay vines. The cuttings came from the Old Wente, and the field selection is renowned for its excellent quality and richness. This concentration originates from the typical petite size of the berries. Handcrafted using classical Burgundian winemaking techniques, this wine is dedicated to our daughter, Claire Morlet.
Straw yellow color. Aromas of lemon drop, Reinette apple skin and fresh herbs (chamomile). Full-bodied and concentrated, this wine displays a creamy and rich texture which coats the palate for a very long time. Built to age gracefully for over a decade, this wine will gain being cellared for 6 months to a year before starting to reveal itself.
About Morlet Family Vineyards
Beginning with the 2006 vintage, Luc & Jodie Morlet have been handcrafting vineyard designated wines and unique cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Proprietary white Bordeaux-style blend and a Late Harvest Sémillon from Sonoma County. 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 logo, based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau’s sculpture entitled, ‘L’Harmonie.’ The Morlet wines clearly display personality, seamless character and graceful ageing capability.
In August 2010, Luc and Jodie purchased a charming estate, just north of the town of St. Helena. Since then, they have been busy converting the historic stone building, built in 1880, into their family’s winery. This building was originally the Castner Winery, until its closure during Prohibition. Located in the beautiful 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 its proximity to this majestic mountain, whose warm and windy climate is ideal for the long ripening of the red Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Luc and Jodie most recently planted their twenty-acre ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard. These Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines are located on the world renowned Oakville Bench. In addition to these family acres, they direct the farming 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 winemaking techniques from Burgundy and Bordeaux and matured in only the finest 100% French oak barrels.
Sold in the spring and the fall of each year through an online mailing list offering and in fine restaurants around the world, the highly acclaimed wines from Morlet Family Vineyards are served at the most prestigious tables and are shared by wine connoisseurs and collectors.
