2019 Morlet Family Vineyards Joli Cœur Pinot Noir

The 2019 Morlet Family Vineyards Joli Cœur Pinot Noir is a Sonoma Coast bottling that has earned praise for its grand cru–like character, drawing comparisons to the finest wines of the northern Côte de Nuits. Crafted from the choicest parcels of the Côteaux Nobles vineyard, it offers a rare blend of Californian intensity and Burgundian finesse. With critical acclaim from Robert Parker and a track record of being poured at the highest levels of state hospitality, this is a collector-worthy Pinot Noir that promises both immediate pleasure and long-term reward.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Joli Cœur Pinot Noir shows a deep, shimmering ruby hue with garnet reflections, hinting at both concentration and elegance. The nose is seductive and layered, offering an intense bouquet of red and black cherries, wild raspberries, and raspberry coulis, interwoven with notes of violet, graphite, forest floor, and a subtle hint of baking spice and rose petal. On the palate, this Pinot Noir is rich, concentrated, and finely textured, with a core of red and black cherry, ripe raspberry, and a touch of black plum supported by earthy mineral tones and a graphite-like savoriness. The mouthfeel is silky yet powerful, with refined tannins and vibrant acidity that keep the wine precise and energetic. The finish is long, lingering, and complex, suggesting excellent cellaring potential. While already expressive and charming in its youth, this wine is built to age gracefully for decades, evolving greater complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
Sourced from the finest section of the Côteaux Nobles vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, Joli Cœur comes from vines planted on the eastern slope of the second ridge in from the Pacific Ocean. Here, the cool maritime influence, fog-laced mornings, and Goldridge soils—shallow, low-fertility, sandy loam—naturally restrict vigor, yielding tiny clusters of small berries that translate into exceptional concentration and structure. The fruit is meticulously hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with a focus on low yields and precise vineyard management. In the cellar, Luc Morlet employs classical Burgundian methods: careful sorting, gentle extraction, and low-intervention winemaking to preserve purity and terroir expression. Aging in French oak (a significant proportion typically new) further polishes the texture and adds complexity, without overwhelming the wine’s vibrant Pinot character.

Food & Serving
This expressive Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with refined, savory dishes such as roast duck with cherry glaze, herb-crusted lamb, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or poultry with truffle jus. It also complements earthy preparations featuring wild mushrooms, game birds, and aged soft cheeses like Brie de Meaux or Reblochon. Serve at 14–16°C (57–61°F) to highlight its aromatics and finesse. Decanting for 30–60 minutes in its youth will help the wine open and reveal its full spectrum of fruit and mineral complexity, while older bottles should be handled gently and decanted briefly, primarily to remove sediment.

Producer
Morlet Family Vineyards, located in picturesque St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley, is the creation of Luc and Jodie Morlet, who blend Old World savoir-faire with the vibrant spirit of California. Luc Morlet, born and trained in France, brings classic European sensibilities—especially from Burgundy and Bordeaux—to some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest terroirs. The estate focuses on low yields, meticulous vineyard work, and traditional, low-intervention winemaking, resulting in wines that are both powerful and refined. Morlet has achieved international acclaim, with top ratings from critics and the exceptional distinction of having its 2010 Joli Cœur Pinot Noir served at a White House state dinner in 2015 in honor of the Japanese Prime Minister. Today, Morlet Family Vineyards is recognized as one of the region’s benchmark producers, crafting world-class wines that showcase the distinct character of Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.