Morlet : Coeur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee is Morlet's Napa Valley calling card, drawn from the family's estate vineyard in Oakville. There are 1,200 cases of this richly concentrated beauty, which marries blueberries and cherries on the nose, while being full-bodied and velvety on the palate and layered and long on the finish.

This wine has blossomed into pure sophistication since I last tasted it. In the context of a vertical tasting of Cœur de Vallée wines going back to 2007, 2021 was a clear standout, showcasing exceptional structure. The 2020 vintage is one of the best wines from that challenging year in Napa, and the forthcoming 2022 is also excellent—but the 2021 is a masterful wine for both near-term enjoyment and long-term cellaring. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, Cœur de Vallée is native-yeast fermented in stainless steel tanks and puncheons, then aged 16 months in up to 85% new French oak. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Luc Morlet sources barrels from Gautier Frères (Burgundy) and Darnajou (Bordeaux), believing that even at 5%, the Cabernet Franc contributes essential structure, complexity, and aromatic lift. Elegant, with deep concentration and staying power, this is a medium- to full-bodied wine featuring pure blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, nuanced by sagebrush, spearmint, and tobacco. Long and layered, with graphite minerality and firm, superfine tannins that soar in intensity on the mid-palate yet melt effortlessly on the mineral-laced finish. Just remarkable. When Luc Morlet came across this 9.7-hectare vineyard for sale in the Oakville AVA, he noticed an unnamed creek. In 2016, Constellation Brands received permission to name it To Kalon Creek. Morlet notes that the site is low-vigour, composed of 40–60% well-draining gravel, and planted to two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc.

The nose shows pepper, truffle and ripe blackberries. The palate is rich and layered, with a round yet detailed core of dark fruit and lustrous, finely knit tannins. Structured and bold, yet approachable. A blend of 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% cabernet franc, aged for 16 months. Drink or hold.

Coming from Oakville and just about all Clone 4, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur De Vallee is a screaming good effort displaying a rich, full-bodied, layered, and powerful style that somehow manages to stay flawlessly balanced and elegant. Jammy currants, dark chocolate, tobacco, black olive, and lead pencil shavings all define this remarkable 2021, which is deep purple-hued and has ripe, polished tannins and flawlessly integrated fruit, oak, tannins, and acidity. It deserves 4-5 years in the cellar and should hit full maturity a decade after the vintage. It will keep for 30+ years.