2019 Grande Sonnerie Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 750 ml

“Let’s get to work,” Luc said.

The day had come. After over a year of careful planning, Master of Wine Vanessa Conlin arrived at Luc Morlet’s studio in St. Helena for a barrel-tasting—the kickoff to Morlet’s first collaboration in over a decade. 

There was a time when he made wine only for other people, such as Peter Michael Winery. Today, over two decades later, Morlet has twenty 100-point wines under his belt. His Morlet Family Vineyards is a grand success, and he’s in a position to pick who he works with. We are incredibly honored that he chose Wine Access to be his first partner.

After hours of work, the 2019 Grande Sonnerie Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley came into focus. Grown on a 24-acre Oakville Bench property that rubs shoulders with the crown jewel of Napa vineyards, it’s intensely pleasurable from the outset: bursting with black fruit and sandalwood aromas, rich in body, framed by elegant tannins.

What is Grande Sonnerie? In mechanical clocks and luxury watches, it’s a complicated movement and striking system. Its other meaning is aspirational: because it’s such a complex mechanical feat, only the greatest watchmakers in the world have mastered it with precision and elegance. That’s why it’s such a perfect name for our collaboration with Luc Morlet, who is not only one of the greatest craftsmen in the Napa Valley, but indeed in the world of wine.

Luc advises opening it at around age 8–10 with a grilled filet mignon, but the wine will continue beautifully for 25–30 years. A six-pack or a case will provide fascinating drinking experiences over the years to come.