2009 Ma Douce Chardonnay
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The 2009 Chardonnay Ma Douce blossoms on the glass with hints of tangerine, freshly cut flowers, mint, pistachio and apricot. The 2009 is texturally quite beautiful. A rich, creamy finish round things out nicely. This is the fresher and most vibrant of the Chardonnays. I very much like the energy here.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2009 Chardonnay Ma Douce blossoms in the glass with hints of tangerine, freshly cut flowers, mint, pistachio and apricot. The 2009 is texturally quite beautiful. A rich, creamy finish rounds things out nicely. This is the freshest and most vibrant of the Chardonnays. I very much like the energy here. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2017. I was quite frankly amazed by the range of wines I tasted with Luc Morlet. The wines span everything from single-variety Chardonnays, Pinots and Syrahs to Bordeaux-inspired blends. La Proportion Doree is a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend with a dash of Muscadelle. Morlet’s Billet Doux is a late-harvest version of that wine, but with fruit just from Alexander Valley. Passionnement is Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards in Oakville, while Coeur de Vallee is Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, also from Oakville. Mon Chevalier is a Bordeaux-style blend made from vineyards in Knights Valley. Morlet Estate, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, is the newest wine in the lineup. Tel. (707) 967-8690; www.morletwines.com
(15.2% alcohol): Sexy aromas of crystallized lemon peel, iodine and vanillin, coconutty oak. Lush, fat and seamless, with compelling sweetness but also a firming mineral edge to the apricot fruit. The iodiney quality recurs on the back end, giving the broad finish a distinctly savory quality. For all its impression of sweet fruit, this wine is bone-dry.