The 2018 Morlet Les Petits Morlet Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a notable offering from Morlet Family Vineyards, located in the Napa Valley sub-appellation of Oakville. This California red wine, produced by winemaker Luc Morlet, is crafted from younger estate-grown vines and is considered a "second" label, making it an accessible entry point for those interested in the winery's offerings.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine a score of 93, noting its "dense purple color" and "classy nose of blackcurrant liqueur, smoked herbs, chocolate, violets, and new leather." He describes it as a "ripe, full-bodied, sexy 2018" that offers "serious amounts of fruit" and a "lifted, perfumed, already complex style." Dunnuck also highlights its potential for aging, suggesting it could evolve for "10-15 years, if not longer" (jebdunnuck.com, 1/27/2021).
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also scored the wine 93 and praised its "soft, open-knit" character, calling it "beautifully done." He mentions its "succulent dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, spice and licorice" flavors and appreciates its "accessible style," making it easy to enjoy immediately. Galloni remarks that most of the fruit comes from the Morlets' vineyard in Oakville, with additional contributions from their sites in St. Helena and Knights Valley (Vinous, 1/1/2021).
Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine 93 points. She describes it as "deep garnet-purple colored" with "bold notions of blackberry pie, juicy black plums, and black currant pastilles." Perrotti-Brown notes hints of "lavender, eucalyptus oil, and cloves," and praises its "full-bodied, rich and concentrated" palate, which is "bursting with black berry flavors." She emphasizes the "plush tannins and a lively backbone," and concludes that this "impeccably made Cabernet is just plain delicious" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 1/29/2021).
Overall, the 2018 Morlet Les Petits Morlet Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-received wine that combines rich fruit flavors with a sophisticated profile, making it a worthwhile addition to any wine enthusiast's collection.