The Story
Morlet Family Vineyards Coeur de Vallée 2019 is an exceptional, highly structured Napa Valley red wine masterfully crafted by winemaker Luc Morlet. Sourced from a premier vineyard in the renowned Oakville AVA—located just across from the legendary To Kalon vineyard—this wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, elegantly blended with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. In the glass, it presents an opaque, deep purple hue, opening with incredibly expressive and concentrated aromas of warm cassis, black cherry, and wild blueberry preserves. These vibrant fruit notes are seamlessly interwoven with nuanced layers of cedar chest, mocha, sweet blond tobacco, and a hint of crushed graphite. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, and wonderfully hedonistic, delivering a luxurious, creamy texture and a powerful core of dark fruits. This generosity is brilliantly framed by ultra-fine, powdery tannins and an integrated, mouthwatering acidity, culminating in a profound, mineral-laced, and gracefully long finish.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with a rosemary-crusted rack of lamb, dry-aged ribeye steaks, rich beef bourguignon, wild mushroom risotto, and mature artisanal cheeses.
97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
On this occasion, as part of a long vertical, I was even more impressed by Morlet's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee than I had been in the past, when I awarded it 95 points. Marked by scents of cassis, blueberries and cherries, it's full-bodied, plush and rich, showing wonderful balance between concentration and lightness and finishing long.
94 Points - James Suckling
This luscious, drinkable and mouth-filling wine is rich in blueberry, milk-chocolate and vanilla-bean flavors on very smooth, fine-grained tannins. Delicious and fruity but deep and concentrated too. Incredibly long finish. Drink now or hold.
93 Points - Wine Spectator
Well-proportioned and alluring, with a hint of mulberry buried amid the darker currant and blackberry fruit notes, while alder, sweet tobacco and bay leaf accents flitter throughout. Very fine-grained through the finish. Lovely. Drink now through 2037.
Description
Morlet Family Vineyards Coeur de Vallée 2019 is an exceptional, highly structured Napa Valley red wine masterfully crafted by winemaker Luc Morlet. Sourced from a premier vineyard in the renowned Oakville AVA—located just across from the legendary To Kalon vineyard—this wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, elegantly blended with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. In the glass, it presents an opaque, deep purple hue, opening with incredibly expressive and concentrated aromas of warm cassis, black cherry, and wild blueberry preserves. These vibrant fruit notes are seamlessly interwoven with nuanced layers of cedar chest, mocha, sweet blond tobacco, and a hint of crushed graphite. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, and wonderfully hedonistic, delivering a luxurious, creamy texture and a powerful core of dark fruits. This generosity is brilliantly framed by ultra-fine, powdery tannins and an integrated, mouthwatering acidity, culminating in a profound, mineral-laced, and gracefully long finish.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with a rosemary-crusted rack of lamb, dry-aged ribeye steaks, rich beef bourguignon, wild mushroom risotto, and mature artisanal cheeses.
97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
On this occasion, as part of a long vertical, I was even more impressed by Morlet's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee than I had been in the past, when I awarded it 95 points. Marked by scents of cassis, blueberries and cherries, it's full-bodied, plush and rich, showing wonderful balance between concentration and lightness and finishing long.
94 Points - James Suckling
This luscious, drinkable and mouth-filling wine is rich in blueberry, milk-chocolate and vanilla-bean flavors on very smooth, fine-grained tannins. Delicious and fruity but deep and concentrated too. Incredibly long finish. Drink now or hold.
93 Points - Wine Spectator
Well-proportioned and alluring, with a hint of mulberry buried amid the darker currant and blackberry fruit notes, while alder, sweet tobacco and bay leaf accents flitter throughout. Very fine-grained through the finish. Lovely. Drink now through 2037.
