Tasting notes:

Based in St. Helena, Napa Valley, Luc and Jodie Morlet have vineyards and vinegrowing partners in Napa and in Sonoma County, from which they have been crafting amazing wines since 2006, and the Coeur de Vallée wines are sold on La Place de Bordeaux. The Morlet-owned, eight hectare Coeur de Vallée vineyard on the Oakville Bench is the source for this fantastic wine. Almost opaque purpleblack and appearing youthful, the bouquet is aromatic, redolent of elegance and harmony, showing red and black fruits and almost Ribena-like cassis, with spicy oak and hints of sweet red pepper, violets, leather and fresh herbs adding complexity. The palate is dry and quite full-bodied, with flavours balanced by brisk acidity and satin-textured tannins, accented by spicy red pepper and crushed red rose notes. Beautifully defined and persistent, the wine, though young, could be drunk with heart of veal Ossau-style, marinated in chicken stock, onions, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, celery leaves and quatre épices, then roasted with garlic, and served with a demi-glace made from the marinade. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)