The Story
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Cabernet Franc 25%
Vineyards: Morlet Family ‘Cœur de Vallée’ Vineyard Bale soils, loamy topsoil on loamy & clay-loamy subsoils.
Winemaking: Cluster by cluster, berry per berry picking. Fermentation with native yeasts. Unfiltered. Ageing 16 months in French oak from artisan coopers.
Winemaker notes:
Located in the world-renowned Oakville appellation, in the heart of the Napa Valley, our vineyard is situated in the east-west axis which includes Peter Michael Winery’s ‘Au Paradis’ vineyard, Dalla Valle Vineyards, Screaming Eagle, To Kalon vineyard and Harlan Estate. The To Kalon Creek runs through our property, and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines benefit from the gravelly and loamy Bale soil derived from an alluvial fan in this warm yet temperate climate. Handcrafted using classical winemaking techniques, this wine is dedicated to Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Nancy Hampel who have always demonstrated their kindness of heart. It is ‘Heart of the Valley’ or ‘Cœur de Vallée.’
Deep garnet-purple in color, the ‘Cœur de Vallée’ is characterized by a striking bouquet of lavender and violets over a core of sweet red berries, crème de cassis, Chambord liqueur, blackcurrants and licorice, and compelling notes of mocha, espresso, chocolate and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied with an impressive fine-grained texture, this powerful yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive from start to finish, boasting a background freshness that supports the intense black fruit layers. The wine displays an extraordinary concentration, richness, finesse and purity while possessing silky and polished tannins leading to an elegant lift on the long, lush finish. Featuring the interaction of the clayish yet well-draining gravelly volcanic soil, the site’s microclimates and the low-interventionistic Morlet winemaking approach, the stunning ‘Cœur de Vallée’ ages gracefully for decades.
Vintage 2010
97 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate / Robert M. Parker Jr.
"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries and mint. Weightless and crystalline, the 2010 is pure silk and finesse. The Coeur de Vallee is always the most elegant of Morlet’s Cabernets, and the 2010 plays true to type. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. The 2010 is gorgeous today, but it needs a few years in bottle to blossom fully. This is yet another tremendous wine from Luc and Jodie Morlet. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. Luc and Jodie Morlet’s 2010s are off the charts. The 2010s have huge structure, but the fruit is so ripe and voluptuous in these wines that the perception of tannin is often imperceptible." (AG) 97+ (12/2012)
94 points by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar / Stephen Tanzer
Bright medium ruby. Lovely violet lift to the intense aromas of cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate, complicated by sexy mocha and earth tones; a real essence of Oakville. Wonderfully plush and sweet in the mouth, with captivating minty lift to the pliant dark raspberry and spice flavors. Finishes very long, with noble, rising tannins that coat the teeth. An outstanding and very suave wine in the making: I love the Cabernet Franc element here." (ST) 94+ (5/2013)
92 points by Wine Spectator / James Laube
"A rich, gutsy effort, dense and extracted, with firm tannins cloaking the dark berry, cedar, tobacco and black licorice notes. Tannic from the get-go, this wine will benefit from cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2026." (JL) (11/2013)
