Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate is quite shut down to begin, needing a lot of shaking to wake up notes of juicy blackberries, black plums, and cassis giving way to nuances of crushed rocks, star anise, lilacs, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate shimmers with energetic black fruit laced with floral accents and wonderfully fine-grained tannins, finishing long and achingly fragrant. (LPB)

From Luc Morlet's estate in St. Helena, where 2.4ha of vines are planted. This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, native yeast fermented in stainless steel tanks and puncheons, and aged for 16 months in 85% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. "It's my Château Le Pin," says Morlet. The Morlet estate is home to three distinct terroirs: the benchland comprises Bale Series soils (about 0.8ha), and they also have hillside blocks and a very shallow ridge block, both on Hambright series soils, the same soils are found underground in specific lower valley, Oakville icons. The nose is utterly alluring, with ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit character alongside a meaty quality, all of which builds with a hearty presence on the palate, balanced by perfumed notes from the benchland fruit. The tannins are velvety, with hints of chocolate or crushed cocoa nibs—indeed rich, fine, dark cacao—and the finish is long, with a salty mineral character. Simply splendid. (JC)

All Cabernet Sauvignon from the small vineyard at the winery in Saint Helena (510 cases produced), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate is one of my favorite Morlet wines. On the nose, hints of crushed stone and pencil shavings accent lovely fruit in the form of black cherries and black raspberries, while the medium to full-bodied palate somehow comes across as generous yet restrained, concentrated yet silky in feel, the flavors and texture lingering elegantly on the finish. (JC)