2019 Morlet Family Vineyards, Force Tranquille, Cabernet Franc, Oakville, Bottle (750ml)

LP99 The 2019 Cabernet Franc Force Tranquille is made from 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it wafts out of the glass with a beautifully fragrant nose of black cherries, red roses, redcurrant preserves, and blackberry pie, plus suggestions of pencil shavings, wild sage, and damp soil. The full-bodied palate has so much energy, with a lively line lifting the intense red and black fruit layers, supported by super-ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed. This is the first vintage of this wine, with all the fruit coming from Morlet's Coeur de Valle Vineyard in Oakville. The Cabernet Franc component is all Clone 1 on Riparia Gloire rootstock. It is a stunning, more elegantly styled expression of Cabernet Franc, compared to the powerful character of the Force de la Nature Vineyard. 300 cases were made.

AG98 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.

JD98 The 2019 Cabernet Franc Force Tranquille is 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the Coeur de Vallée Vineyard. This classic Oakville red has earthy red and black fruits, black olive, tobacco, and chocolate-driven aromatics. These carry to a deep, layered, structured, and just seamless Cabernet Franc that does everything right. It unquestionably offers pleasure today yet will evolve for over two decades.