2018 Morlet, Force de la Nature Cabernet Franc, California, Bottle (750ml)

RP98+ "This is the first year that the fruit for this label comes entirely from estate grown fruit—the Morlet Family "Coeur de Vallée" vineyard in Oakville, situated more or less across the road from To Kalon, from where the fruit was previously sourced. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature has a deep garnet-purple color, slipping seductively out of the glass with notes of cherry cordial, red currant jelly, mulberries and Black Forest cake plus suggestions of rose oil, pencil lead, cedar chest and unsmoked cigars with a waft of dried Provence herbs. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with the taut, muscular red and black fruits framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness. The fragrant floral and savory nuances linger long into the multifaceted finish. Give this beauty a good 4-5 years in bottle to really spread its wings and drink it over the next 30+ years. 170 cases were made." LPB for TWA Jan 2021

LP99 "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Force de la Nature Cabernet Franc needs a lot of swirling to unlock notes of blackberry preserves, mulberries, and candied violets, giving way to blueberry pie, garrigue, pencil lead, coffee bean, and tree bark. The full-bodied palate is taut and powerful, with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of mineral sparks. This is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grown on Morlet's Coeur de Vallée Vineyard in Oakville. 295 cases were produced." LPB for TWI Aug 2022

JD98 "Another magical vintage for this great cuvée, Luc Morlet’s 2018 Cabernet Franc Force De La Nature offers a ruby/purple hue (it’s not completely opaque) as well as an extraordinary nose of blueberries, blackberries, flowers, graphite, lead pencil, and toasted bread. Incredibly layered and full-bodied on the palate, it’s nevertheless weightless and flawlessly balanced, with ultra-fine tannins and a building, majestic, seamless texture. All Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, this borderline perfect wine is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 25+ years." JD Jan 2021

Robert Parker writes, "Luc Morlet, whose brother Nicolas Morlet is the principal winemaker at Peter Michael Winery, preceded his brother, but has his own winery just north of St. Helena and the Culinary Institute of America. It sits adjacent to Route 29 in a beautiful old building from the late 1800s. Morlet, who hails from the Champagne region of France, is on a hot streak in terms of the quality of the exquisite wines he=s producing. This is an extraordinary lineup of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and possibly the finest 100% Cabernet Franc ever made in California, his Force de la Nature." Published: Dec 30, 2015