2016 Passionnement

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnément, a selection of the best barrels in the cellar, captures the best of the Morlet style. Grilleds herbs, smoke, leather, tobacco, black cherry and plum all run through this potent, deeply structured Cabernet Sauvignon. I find it one of the most expressive wines in the range today.

Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 85% of the fruit in this barrel-selection wine comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon and Missouri Hopper vineyards, 10% is from the Morlet Estate vineyard in St Helena and 5% comes from the Mon Chevalier vineyard in Knights Valley. Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement leaps from the glass with notes of licorice, chocolate mint, warm cassis, plum preserves, charcoal and smoked meats with touches of lilacs and cedar chest plus a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a quiet intensity at first that grows exponentially in the mouth into an aria of epic proportions, revealing layer upon layer of savory/sweet flavors, bags of black fruits and tons of spicy sparks all within a firm, very finely grained frame, finishing very long and with compelling minerality. This is a staggeringly stunning and very singular Cabernet achievement by Luc Morlet—bravo! 250 cases were produced, which will be released in the fall of 2019.