Morlet Force Tranquille Cabernet Franc

Crafted with the passionate, uncompromised & ongoing pursuit of quality, this judicious blend draws on only the finest barrels featuring the close interaction of beautiful vineyards located on the Oakville bench of Napa Valley and our manicured vineyards on the foothills of Knights Valley and St. Helena. As the French say, “Je t’aime, un peu, beaucoup, passionnément!” (I love you, a little, a lot, passionately!) Handcrafted by using classical winemaking techniques, this special wine is dedicated to my wife, Jodie Morlet.

Winemaker notes

Dark purple. Intense and complex bouquet of red, black and blue berries intermixed with notes of blueberries, Crème de Cassis, plum, cedar and a hint of cedar and cigar box. Full bodied, the palate is reminiscent of the nose, with a creamy texture and a great intensity. The luscious tannins, the intense aromatic complexity and its opulence create a flamboyant yet harmonious ensemble, leading to a very long, complex and smooth finish. This early charming and collectible wine represents the passionate, uncompromised and on-going pursuit of quality. Passionnement features the close interaction of both bench and hillside manicured vineyards, Morlet winemaking style and the very best of what Napa Valley and Knights Valley have to offer. It is simply the ‘ne plus ultra’ of the Morlet wine production.

2019

Wine Advocate 93: An 85-15 blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Franc Force Tranquille is the first vintage for this wine, drawn exclusively from the family's Oakville estate vineyard. It marries slightly herbal and red capsicum nuances with ripe black cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and fine, and the wine adds cola notes on the long, elegant finish.

Vinous 98: A new wine in this range, the 2019 Force Tranquille is a Cabernet Franc-based blend that incorporates a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, both from Cœur de Vallée. It's a stunning debut. Dark shades of fruit intermingled with spice, dried herbs, leather and coffee lend soaring complexity. Franc can be magical in Oakville, as it is here. Superb.