Morlet, Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Luc and Jodie Morlet's St. Helena winery makes about 15 small-lot wines with French names. Bordeaux-variety reds come from owned sites: Coeur de Vallée, 24 acres in Oakville across from To Kalon, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a third Cabernet Franc; and Mon Chevalier, 7 Knights Valley acres planted in 2008. Force de la Nature is pure Cabernet Franc and Force Tranquille mostly Cabernet Franc. Sonoma yields Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noirs (Coteaux Nobles, En Famille, Joli Coeur) and the Chardonnays Ma Douce and Ma Princesse; Bouquet Garni is Bennett Valley Syrah and La Proportion Dorée a Sémillon-led, Pessac-style white. Ferments use native yeasts, some in demi-muids, and most are unfiltered.

Region

Napa Valley (Oakville, St. Helena), Knights Valley and Sonoma Coast, California

Owner

Luc and Jodie Morlet

Vineyards

Coeur de Vallée (24 acres, Oakville); Mon Chevalier (7 acres, Knights Valley); Nobles Ranch (Fort Ross-Seaview) and Ritchie (Russian River) sources

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc

Wines

Coeur de Vallée, Force de la Nature, Force Tranquille, Mon Chevalier, Passionnément, Coteaux Nobles, Joli Coeur, En Famille, Ma Douce, Ma Princesse, Bouquet Garni, La Proportion Dorée

Style

Native yeasts, hand-broken berries, some demi-muid ferments, mostly unfiltered

Sources: napawineproject.com, thewineindependent.com, gilbertgaillard.com