Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The nearly perfect Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature comes from a parcel of Cabernet Franc vines planted on the gravelly bench of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. This cuvée is only produced in great vintages, which, of course, the 2012 and 2013 are. As with all of Luc Morlet’s wines, there are no acid adjustments, no enzymes and no manipulation. The inky/blue/purple-colored, aromatic 2012 Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature boasts a floral, full-bodied, layered mouthfeel, fabulous intensity and notes of wet rocks, spring flowers, forest floor, blueberries and black raspberries. It is a tour de force as well as a force de la nature from the Oakville Corridor. Consume it over the next 10-20 years.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.