Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier 2012

VM93: The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier emerges from a site in Knights Valley, an area Luc Morlet knows well from his time at Peter Michael. Graphite, smoke, game, licorice, black cherry and plum - all signatures of this fabled sector of Sonoma County - come through loud and clear. Beams of supporting tannin and acidity give the wine its structural backbone. Powerful and searing in the glass, the 2012 is going to need a few years to come into its own. Dollops of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot round out the blend.

WA92: The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, all from Knight’s Valley and aged in large oak puncheons. The least expensive of the Morlet Cabernets, the open, round, light 2012 offers sweet white chocolate, blackcurrant and mineral notes in a full-bodied, opulent style. It can be consumed now and over the next 10+ years.