2021 Morlet Family Vineyards ‘Passionnement’ Cabernet Sauvignon

WP100 The single-varietal 2021 Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. A little shy to begin, it soon unfurls to offer a provocative perfume of lavender, crushed rocks, and underbrush leading to a core of fresh blackcurrants, red currants, and mulberries plus a hint of red roses. The full-bodied palate has amazing tension and a jaw-dropping texture of superbly ripe tannins supporting the multi-layered black fruit and mineral layers, finishing long and perfumed. Wow!

JD99 The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement is just about pure perfection. Where the Morlet Estate is more structured and backward, this is upfront and as sexy as can be, offering a saturated ruby/purple hue, notes of red and black currants, walnuts, spice box, chocolate, and smoked tobacco, as well as full body, velvety tannins, and a broad, expansive, mouth-filling texture that’s to die for. Despite being a massive wine, it has perfect balance and no hard edges. It’s approachable today yet will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 2-3 decades in cold cellars.