Morlet Coeur De Vallee Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
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Robert
Parker
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Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc
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Vinous
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Cœur de Vallée has aged exceptionally well. In 2011, Cœur de Vallée was made entirely from To Kalon fruit and was a blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. That choice paid off big time, as the wine is absolutely exquisite. Bright floral, spice and tobacco accents lend freshness. Readers can look forward to another decade of fine drinking.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even better is the 2011 Coeur de Vallee, a 225-case blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Cabernet Franc, all from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. This sexy 2011 is a candidate for the wine of the vintage. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by notes of forest floor, violets, bouquet garni, black currant and blueberry fruit, stunning richness and no herbaceousness or astringency, and a long, lush finish. A terrific effort in this challenging vintage, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years.
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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.
In 2006, Luc and his wife Jodie began crafting wines, in limited quantities, from unique vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma County, under the Morlet Family Vineyards label. In 2010, the couple restored a pre-Prohibition winery located in the beautiful St. Helena appellation, as their family’s winery. With over 20 vintages under his belt, and with his own zest for innovation, Luc uses century old principles and classic Burgundy and Bordeaux methods adapted to California’s natural conditions. Passionate for both the expression of terroir, as well as for the continuous pursuit of ultimate quality, Luc calls his winemaking philosophy ‘neo-classic laissez-faire without compromise.’
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.