2016 Morlet Syrah "Bouquet Garni", Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

This wine is made from an exceptional hillside vineyard located in Bennett Valley, where natural conditions are ideal for growing Syrah. Handcrafted by using classical winemaking techniques of Vallée du Rhone, this wine reveals a complex and spicy bouquet. Named after the famous culinary bundle to honor our first relative who emigrated from France to the USA, Abel Pierre Aimé Coutanceau, who was, by profession, an accomplished chef, it is the ‘Garnished Bouquet’ or ‘Bouquet Garni.’ The vines are grown on a volcanic mélange, clay and rocks on a warm hillside spot in a cool area. Harvest was in October and was done manually. The grapes were sorted first cluster by cluster and then berry by berry. Fermentation was done through native yeast and punch downs were implemented to extract color and tannin. The wine was aged for 14 months in French oak from artisan coopers. The wine was bottled unfiltered.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Beginning with the 2006 vintage, Luc & Jodie Morlet have been handcrafting vineyard designated wines and unique cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Proprietary white Bordeaux-style blend and a Late Harvest Sémillon from Sonoma County. Meticulously farmed vineyards and low-intervention winemaking techniques produce powerful yet refined wines.

By taking old world principles and adapting them to California, the Morlet style results in wines which are harmonious in their intensity, richness, complexity and refinement. It is this notion of harmony that inspired their logo, based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau’s sculpture entitled, ‘L’Harmonie.’ The Morlet wines clearly display personality, seamless character and graceful ageing capability.

All of the Morlet’s wines are handcrafted using classical winemaking techniques from Burgundy and Bordeaux and matured in only the finest 100% French oak barrels.