2007 Morlet Family Pinot Noir Joli Coeur
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Tasting notes
The 2007 Pinot Noir Joli Coeur exhibits the deepest, most saturated color of this group in addition to an extraordinary nose of forest floor, spring flower, and ripe raspberry and black cherry fruit aromas, a full-bodied mouthfeel, super texture, and amazing length as well as richness. It’s a shame more is not available. This is a brilliant portfolio of wines from Frenchman Luc Morlet. Production for these cuvees ranges from a low of 75 cases for several of the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, to a high of 660 cases for the Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Muscadelle blend called La Proportion Doree. Only indigenous yeasts are used in the fermentations as well as 100% French oak barrels, there is no fining or filtration, and all the wines are made with a hand-crafted zeal for high quality. The 2007 and 2008 Chardonnays would make a tremendous comparative tasting to decide which vintage turned out better. In most cases, 2007 gets the nod, but at this estate, it’s pretty much a dead heat. I suspect the only way to secure any of the Morlet Family Vineyards’ wines is to get on their mailing list. Tel. (707) 967-8690; Fax (707) 967-8590
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Saturated red-ruby color. Pungently mineral aromas of dark cherry and graphite. Rich, broad and dry, with firm underlying structure giving shape to the plush flavors of dark berries, black tea and graphite. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins, a distinctly silky impression and terrific lift. The tiny clusters and berries produced in the heart of this Sonoma Coast vineyard produced barely two tons per acre of fruit in 2007. Wonderfully deep and soil-inflected California pinot.