Morlet Cœur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon

In the heart of Napa Valley, Luc and Jodie’s 24-acre ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard is situated in the same east-west axis that includes Screaming Eagle, To Kalon and Harlan Estate, and is located just south of Opus One Winery. High density planting (2,200 vines per acre) results in competition among the vines. 3 ¼ x 6 foot spacing facilitates proper airflow, thus naturally limiting pest and fungus development. The well-draining gravelly and loamy soils, along with a 2% slope, naturally control vigor. In redeveloping this superb estate, Luc designed six parcels to capture the six distinct micro-terroirs, each of which contributes to the wine’s striking bouquet and impressive fine-grained structure, while providing extraordinary concentration, finesse and complexity.

Winemaker notes

2021: The stunning 2021 ‘Cœur de Vallée’ displays a dark vibrant purple hue with intense aromatics of cassis, dark chocolate, black olive and fruits confits intermixed with a complex bouquet of violets, wild sage, and notes of Foin de Crau and blond tobacco leaf. Rich and concentrated, yet elegant and refined, this outstanding wine possesses a magnificent texture with an incredible sense of depth. The silky and lush tannins bring striking tenderness, culminating in a seamless and driven wine.

2021

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent 100: The medium to full-bodied palate has wonderful freshness, with firm, plush tannins and bags of black fruit and mineral layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”

Jeb Dunnuck 98: The 2021 ‘Cœur de Vallée’ is a screaming good effort displaying a rich, full-bodied, layered, and powerful style thatsomehow manages to stay flawlessly balanced and elegant.”

Colin Hay, The Drinks Business 100: Such an impressive wine - the pick of the US releases on La Place this year, and also perhaps the most Bordelais. There’s staggering concentration and great density. With a silky texture, the quality of the pixilating tannins is remarkable and gives this an incredible clarity and crystallinity in the mid-palate, allowing the fruit to dance and play, to glisten and glide. Exquisite already, but with the capacity to age glacially.”

Vinous 93: The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Cœur de Vallée is a very pretty, elegant wine. Silky, floral and medium in body, the Cœur de Vallée is another understated wine in this range from Luc Morlet. Dark cherry, plum, leather, spice and menthol are nicely pushed forward. This is very well done for the year.