2012 Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement Oakville 750 ml

The wine is in honor of Luc’s wife Jodie, and its name translates to “Passionately.” And it is a labor of love. The grapes are sourced from Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Morlet Estate, and Mon Chevalier. The grapes are selected in the vineyard, and again in the winery—as the family says, the wine is made “cluster by cluster, berry per berry”. Next, Luc does a blind tasting to select the best barrels that will comprise the final blend. The resulting wine composition typically ends up around 85% Oakville. Only 250 cases were made and we are so glad they held back a few cases so we can offer it to members like yourself!

Luc Morlet was born in Épernay into a winegrowing family that goes back five generations in Champagne—he was stirring barrel-fermented Chardonnay when he wasn’t in the classroom learning long division. During his master’s degree program in oenology at the University of Reims, he interned at the prestigious Chanson Père et Fils in Beaune, crafting Premiers Crus of Meursault and Côte de Beaune. Upon graduation, Luc was hired as the régisseur for a Classified Margaux Growth, where he was mentored by Jacques Boissenot.   

Luc came to Napa Valley in 1996 with only the shirt on his back and love in his heart for his California sweetheart. He started out at Newton, replacing John Kongsgaard and collaborating with consulting oenologist Michel Rolland. Later, as the winemaker for Peter Michael, he continued Helen Turley’s legacy and racked up over 30 wines rated 94-99 points from The Wine Advocate in just five years.

The knowledge Luc gained from winemaking legends, coupled with his family’s trade secrets and his professional experience in France, all but guaranteed success for Morlet. Since beginning the Morlet Family Vineyards label, he and his wife Jodie have bootstrapped their way to the top, breathing the rarefied air of Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle and Schrader.