Morlet Family Vineyards Passionnément Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | 750 ml.

ST93+ Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/Jun 2013

"Bright, deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, licorice and graphite lifted by a violet topnote. At once sweet and penetrating, with terrific intensity and cut to the flavors of dark berries, licorice, spices, herbs, graphite and minerals. Already conveying strong personality and yet this wine is muscular and medicinal in the early going. The firm tannins avoid dryness, suggesting that this wine will gain with bottle age. The ’09 version was more feminine than this one, but I’d like to taste the two vintages side by side in ten years." (93+ pts.)

ST94+ Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/Jun 2012

"Good full ruby. Very dark aromas of blackberry, violet, menthol and licorice. Rich, dense and superripe, but without any impression of heaviness. Hints at the complexity to come but, with its firm acidity, this very primary cabernet is going to require serious bottle aging. Most impressive today on the superb, rising, palate-staining aftertaste. Great potential here." (94–97 pts.)

RP97 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 26th Dec 2012

"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement covers every inch of the palate with sweet dark cherries, plums, menthol, licorice and sweet spices. A round, sumptuous wine, the 2010 impresses for its phenomenal balance and class. The integration of fruit, acidity and structure is flat-out great. Although the 2010 starts shutting down in the glass quickly, the wine’s potential is immediately evident. To tell the truth, the Passionnement is rarely my favorite Morlet wine, but the 2010 is drop-dead gorgeous. Anticipated maturity: 2020–2030." (97 pts.)