2017 Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
While the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement doesn't match the magical 2016, it's nevertheless a gorgeous wine that will stand up to anything in the vintage and is a heavenly wine. Loads of blackcurrants, cassis, damp earth, chocolate, and green tobacco dominate the bouquet of this powerful, full-bodied, opulent wine, which offers more decadence and sweet fruit than almost every other 2017 out there. With beautiful depth of fruit, ripe, silky tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish, it needs a year or three of bottle age and will evolve for two decades or more. The Passionnement is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is always a selection across the single vineyards.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnément captures the essence of the Morlet style. Inky, dark and voluptuous, with tons of depth, the 2017 screams with character. Inky fruit, chocolate, leather, licorice and spice all build in a Cabernet endowed with superb density and power. The 2017 is big, bold and beautiful.
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 85% of the fruit in this barrel selection wine comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon and Missouri Hopper vineyards, while 10% is from the Morlet Estate vineyard in St. Helena, and 5% comes from the Mon Chevalier vineyard in Knights Valley. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement gives up wonderfully fragrant notes of wilted roses, candied violets and black cherry compote with a core of crème de cassis, star anise, pencil shavings and unsmoked cigars plus a touch of bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers impressive energy with a firm, grainy texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long with lots of earthy/mineral layers. Should age beautifully! 270 cases were made.