2009 Morlet Family Billet Doux Late Harvest Sémillon
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Tasting notes
(50% noble rot and 47 grams per liter of dry extract, according to Morlet; 90% semillon, 9% sauvignon blanc and 1% muscadelle): Deep yellow-gold. High-toned aromas of orange marmalade, apricot and white raisin. Thick, large-scaled and honeyed, with a slight phenolic edge to the flavors of apricot, quince, nougat and wildflower. This chewy but slightly aggressive sweet wine finishes with a note of honeycomb. Morlet told me that the 2010 version of this wine was made from 100% nobly rotten berries.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Billet Doux is a gorgeous wine. Sweet tangerines, mint, flowers and light honey are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. This is a beautifully textured, refined sweet wine loaded with class. In 2009 there was 50% botrytis in these grapes.
The 2009 Billet Doux is a gorgeous wine. Sweet tangerines, mint, flowers and light honey are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. This is a beautifully textured, refined sweet wine loaded with class. In 2009 there was 50% botrytis in these grapes. The 2009 is 75% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2029. 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
(16.6% alcohol; 100 g/l r.s.; blended with 9% sauvignon blanc and 1% muscadelle): Full yellow-gold. Aromas of honey, fig, marzipan and toasted almond, plus a hint of gunflint. Lush and sweet but a bit topheavy, in need of a bit more fruit and enlivening acidity. This mouthfilling sweet wine is the product of about 50% botrytized grapes, noted Morlet, while the 2008 version was mostly from passerillage. Finishes with a hint of white raisin.