2019 Morlet Family Vineyards En Famille Pinot Noir

2019 Morlet Family Vineyards En Famille Pinot Noir is a plush, deeply expressive Pinot crafted in the spirit of great Burgundy, yet firmly rooted in California’s coastal terroir. Named “En Famille” as a tribute to five generations of Morlets working with Pinot Noir, it’s a wine meant to be shared at the table with the people closest to you. Robert Parker praises its “wonderful maturity and richness” with kirsch, spice and forest floor notes, calling it a full-bodied beauty to enjoy over the next 10–15 years.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 En Famille Pinot Noir shows a vibrant, medium ruby hue with a glossy edge that hints at both concentration and finesse. The nose is intensely aromatic, unfolding with layers of wild raspberry, ripe strawberry, kirsch, and red cherry, interwoven with notes of forest floor, damp earth, graphite and a subtle, fragrant spice. Hints of dried rose petals, tea leaf and a touch of vanilla or sweet baking spice add further complexity. On the palate, this is rich yet beautifully balanced Pinot Noir: silky and full-bodied, with a generous core of red berry fruit wrapped in fine, polished tannins. Flavors of raspberry coulis, wild strawberries and red plum are complemented by savory undertones of underbrush, leather and a mineral-edged earthiness. The finish is long, supple and slightly leathery, with lingering spice and a graphite note that brings structure and depth. Already expressive and open, it has the concentration and balance to age gracefully for 10–15 years from the vintage, gaining more savory, tertiary complexity over time.

Production
Although Morlet Family Vineyards is based in St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley, the En Famille Pinot Noir is sourced from carefully selected coastal vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, where cool Pacific breezes and fog allow for slow, even ripening and vibrant natural acidity. Low yields and meticulous vineyard management are central to the Morlet philosophy: grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, then sorted with great care to ensure only the finest fruit makes it into the cellar. Vinification follows classical Burgundian traditions—whole berries or a proportion of whole clusters, gentle extraction, and fermentation in small lots—followed by élevage in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new. The result is a Pinot Noir that marries old-world technique with the energy and purity of California fruit.

Food & Serving
This Pinot Noir’s combination of richness, freshness and earthy complexity makes it a versatile partner at the table. It shines with dishes such as herb-roasted chicken, duck breast with cherry or berry sauce, roast pork tenderloin, mushroom risotto, wild mushroom pasta, and seared salmon or tuna. Earthy cheeses like Comté, Gruyère or a mild washed-rind cheese also work beautifully. Serve at 14–16°C (57–61°F) to highlight its aromatic nuance and silky texture. Younger bottles will benefit from a gentle decant of 30–45 minutes to let the aromatics fully open, while more mature bottles can simply be poured and enjoyed, with the wine evolving in the glass.

Producer
Morlet Family Vineyards was founded by Luc and Jodie Morlet in St. Helena, Napa Valley, where they bring together old-world savoir-faire and the vibrancy of California’s best terroirs. Luc Morlet, a French-born winemaker with deep roots in Burgundy and Bordeaux, draws on his family’s long history of working with Pinot Noir in France, extending that tradition to the cool coastal vineyards of Sonoma. Since its inception, Morlet has become one of the region’s most respected boutique producers, known for limited-production, vineyard-driven wines that consistently earn high critical praise. With a portfolio that spans Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast, the estate has helped define a modern, classically styled expression of Californian fine wine, and En Famille stands as a heartfelt tribute to the family lineage behind it.

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