Morlet Family Vineyards, Cœur de Vallee Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A beautiful, full-bodied, mineral-driven, energetic wine with curvy edges from a very challenging vintage. The mineral-rich nose is infused with blackcurrant and Chambord, while the rich, dark berry fruit intermingles with cassis and a plethora of earth and salty mineral notes. Very precise tannins plump up with air, and the finish is marked by fresh, loamy soils and crushed stone notes. When winemaker Luc Morlet came across this 10.11-ha property for sale in the Oakville AVA, he noticed an unnamed creek running through it. Later, in 2016, Constellation Brands received permission to name it To Kalon Creek. Morlet says the site is low-vigour and comprised of 40-60% well-draining gravel planted two two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc. Harvest finished on 17 September 2023, well before the Glass Fire. In another vintage with far fewer challenges, this would almost undoubtedly be a 100-point wine, and I plan to review it again in a year and see how it is progressing.

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035