Morlet Family Vineyards
Billet Doux Late Harvest Sémillon
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
My second set of wines to provide as part of a co-host event.
I picked these up during a visit to Morlet in the fall of ‘21. Sadly, these are the last of my initial stash. 58 semillon/36 SB/6 Muscat.
Poured blind for a group of 20 people at the end of a wine event, I was shocked that not one single person called this Cali. Many Sauternes, Barsac, and a few South African dessert wine guesses. It’s undeniably sporting botrytis flavors, but the richness has a wonderful spine of acidity. Honeyed mango, white peach and chock-full of orange blossom on the nose, there’s added candied spice and honeycomb on the palate. Didn’t pick up any nutty flavors (which I enjoy in Sauternes), but this was also fairly young. Extremely “fresh” for a dessert wine, if that makes sense. Best Cali dessert wine I’ve had, I think.
My second set of wines to provide as part of a co-host event.
I picked these up during a visit to Morlet in the fall of ‘21. Sadly, these are the last of my initial stash. 58 semillon/36 SB/6 Muscat.
Poured blind for a group of 20 people at the end of a wine event, I was shocked that not one single person called this Cali. Many Sauternes, Barsac, and a few South African dessert wine guesses. It’s undeniably sporting botrytis flavors, but the richness has a wonderful spine of acidity. Honeyed mango, white peach and chock-full of orange blossom on the nose, there’s added candied spice and honeycomb on the palate. Didn’t pick up any nutty flavors (which I enjoy in Sauternes), but this was also fairly young. Extremely “fresh” for a dessert wine, if that makes sense. Best Cali dessert wine I’ve had, I think.
Brown butter. Baked apricots. Aging well.
Brown butter. Baked apricots. Aging well.
Sep 23rd, 2023
Another half-bottle which was clearly more fresh and bright.
Another half-bottle which was clearly more fresh and bright.
Apr 19th, 2025
This (half-)bottle was clearly more advanced than the one tasted earlier today.
This (half-)bottle was clearly more advanced than the one tasted earlier today.
Apr 19th, 2025
