2019 Sonoma Coast Hirsch Vineyard Chardonnay favorite purchased 6 bts $70
I have always thought Konnsgaurd was hard to find. Then I heard about this wine. I spent over 3 weeks looking for it and on the very last afternoon of my trip when visiting K&L Wine Merchants on Harrison Avenue in San Francisco I found 6 hidden bottles and bought all of them. I found out later they still had some so Robert Fallis bought some and I recommend you call them and see what they can give you. Frankly one of the best wines we drank on the trip. The nose and taste start with a complex flavor profile of pear, apple, and vanilla. The wine is fruit-forward but not in excess. On the taste, there is a hint of tart apple. The wine has a nice velvet mouthfeel. Food friendly with lots of acid but well balanced. Oak is light and predominant. The finish is a nice long fruit finish. I have now drunk the wine 3 times and it continues to delight me and my description has not changed. It is as good as Konnsgaurd, Neiman, and White Burgundy Chardonnays.
Morlet Vineyards
We stopped by Morlet vineyards and spoke briefly with Luc Morlet the owner. We just did not have time to do a half-day tasting with him and I had already done it 2 years prior so I feel I know his wines pretty well. But after I got home I was able to join a virtual tasting of his 2014 Coeur De Vallee. This wine is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Becstoffer To Kalon vineyard which is one of the original famous Napa Valley vineyards and 24% Cabernet Franc which is what stands out in this wine and it is a favorite of Cabernet Franc fans. I received the wine a couple of days in advance so I was able to open it early and watch the evolution of the wine over time which is how I have described this wine to you below. I should also mention while out there I heard about Morlet’s Ma Douce Chardonnay from both 2017 and 2018. More than one wine shop owner told me they were blown away with those two years of Chardonnay from Luc. So I have in transient a vertical of 2016 to 2019 to try out and see if I want to buy a case of any of those years and will let you know once I have tasted them.
2014 Morlet Coeur De Vallee
4 PM Opening and decanted
Immediately filled the room with a grape juice smell. 1st smell very fruity volatile smell with a stringent alcohol smell, 2nd smell still a lot of volatile alcohol with maybe less fruit on the nose. I detected flower smells maybe rose petals also some jasmine. A quick explanation here. In France when studying wine in France the French told me there is a first and second smell when you taste and judge wine. You want to see what it is like immediately on opening and then again after it has come in contact with more air. The taste was very complex with chocolate, cigar, cedar, and again flowers. Very well balanced and alcohol less intense. Nice fruity finish with a slight bitterness from tannin which is well developed. Tannin and acid balance are pretty much perfect. A pleasant finish aftertaste grows on you.
6 PM open for 2 hours in the decanter.
First smell, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate dark chocolate cake with thick chocolate icing. 2nd smell chocolate cake with raspberry jam. Tons of raspberry fruit on the nose. On the taste solid tannin background but a nice smooth velvet mouthfeel. Chocolate and cigar box flavor along with fruit flavor also. Detected a hint of lemon. Really young and tight. Calmed down from 2 hours before showing a wonderful balance of tannin, acid, and alcohol. Actually hardly can detect any alcohol at this point. Also taste a fair amount of licorice. After reading the description should have predicted the high Cabernet Franc contribution as it adds lots of body and tannin and will allow the wine to age for decades. The purpose of decanting 2 hours ahead is to allow the Cabernet Franc to calm down.
7:20 PM open now for 3 ½ hours
The nose is really evolving. Much, much softer and complex. Definitely can smell lavender now. Parkers description of chocolate-covered cherries is accurate. Can also pick up some hint of mint as Parker described.
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