2010 Morlet Family Billet Doux Late Harvest Sémillon
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Tasting notes
(blended with 24% sauvignon and 1% muscadelle; from 80% botrytized berries; at 145 grams per liter residual sugar, this is the sweetest vintage yet for this bottling): Full bright orange. Knockout nose melds notes of Grand Marnier, botanical herbs, lichee, golden raisin and a rancio element. Thick, silky and very sweet, with liqueur-like fruit, honey and herb flavors lifted by a note of rose petal and enlivened by the sauvignon blanc component. A bit warm and phenolic but has the concentration and complexity to support the 14.5% alcohol. I find this much more nuanced than the 2009 version, which was dominated by a dried apricot quality and featured a much lower percentage of nobly rotten berries.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Billet Doux is bigger and richer than the 2009. The higher amount of Semillon and the presence of 100% botrytised fruit are clearly felt. Burnt sugar, smoke, apricots and spices are woven together in this gorgeous, burnished sweet wine.
The 2010 Billet Doux (Semillon/Sauvignon) is bigger and richer than the 2009. The higher amount of Semillon in this vintage (90%) and the presence of 100% botrytised fruit are clearly felt. Burnt sugar, smoke, apricots and spices are woven together in this gorgeous, burnished sweet wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. I was quite frankly amazed by the range of wines I tasted with Luc Morlet. The wines span everything from single-variety Chardonnays, Pinots and Syrahs to Bordeaux-inspired blends. La Proportion Doree is a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend with a dash of Muscadelle. Morlet’s Billet Doux is a late-harvest version of that wine, but with fruit just from Alexander Valley. Passionnement is Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards in Oakville, while Coeur de Vallee is Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, also from Oakville. Mon Chevalier is a Bordeaux-style blend made from vineyards in Knights Valley. Morlet Estate, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, is the newest wine in the lineup. Tel. (707) 967-8690; www.morletwines.com