Winemaker Luc Morlet to Consult at Napa Valley's Signorello

"Great, unique terroir and a great team." As Signorello Estate's newest team member, Morlet will endeavour to bring the world-class winery to the next level. "As a winemaker, you only get at most 60 cracks to be perfect in a lifetime," says Ray Signorello, Jr., founder and proprietor.

"That's why I don't want to leave any stone unturned. Bringing Luc Morlet on board reflects my ceaseless commitment to producing the finest possible terroir-driven wines. Luc is a perfectionist whose body of work, from the vineyard to the finished wine, has put him in the forefront of winemakers today, not only in California but on a worldwide stage."

Starting in August, his role as consultant winemaker will place Morlet side-by-side with Signorello's long-time winemaker Pierre Birebent collaborating on every step of the process. 

Passionate for both the expression of the terroir as well as the continuous pursuit of the ultimate quality, Morlet calls his winemaking philosophy "neo-classic laissez-faire without compromise" - a non-interventionist winemaking style driven by an ongoing search for quality improvement. "I believe in very gentle handling of the fruit, use of natural flora (yeast and bacteria), no addition of anything, no use of any artifice, gentle tannin extraction, no fining and no filtration." Morlet finds this purist method encourages greater authenticity and higher quality of the wine's truest natural form.

With more than 26 vintages under his belt (17 in California and nine in France), and with his own zest for innovation, Morlet uses century-old principles and classic Burgundy and Bordeaux methods, while adapting to California's natural conditions.

"For me, as a winemaker working with many vineyards in different parts of Napa Valley since 1993 (17 harvests!), becoming a part of Signorello Estate is a healthy and exciting challenge," says Morlet, who brings a wealth of expertise to his new position.

Raised in France and educated in Viticulture and Enology there, he is a fifth-generation winegrower and winemaker. Morlet has enjoyed solid successes with excellent producers in Burgundy, Bordeaux and in Napa Valley with Newton Vineyards, Peter Michael Winery and Staglin Family Vineyards. He launched Morlet Family Vineyards in 2006 with his wife Jodie Morlet, producing a sold-out wine portfolio every year.

Signorello Jr., who has had a lifelong affinity for elegant, balanced European-style wines, seems to have found a dream partnership in Morlet. And Morlet concurs: "The day I met Ray, I understood that he is serious about striving for the highest level of quality - the vision and commitment I am dedicated to, as well."

For more information on Signorello Estate wine, please visit www.signorelloestate.com

www.gismondionwine.com

93 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $85.95
Another great looking red with a big concentrated cabernet/cassis nose. There's 15 percent merlot and five percent cabernet franc in the blend. The flavours are of chunky almost blueberry fruit. This is the winery's signature wine and it reflects the care Signorello is so proud of. Big bold and will keep for a decade or more. (AG)

90 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $65.99 Specialty
Signorello cabernet has always been one of Napa's best and with a $32.00 drop in price in may now be Napa's best value. Look for the usual big concentrated cabernet/cassis nose with subtle streaks of cedar. There's 15 percent merlot and ten percent cabernet franc in the blend. It's not a monster red but it has a reasonable amount of depth given the vintage. Look for black fruit and coffee mocha flavours with fine-grained tannins and smoky oak in the aftertaste. Solid. (AG)

93 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $72.99 Specialty
Ripe peppery, spicy, saddle leather, blackberry jam, cardamom, Christmas pudding nose with some black olive and dusty chocolate highlights. Rich, ripe, concentrated and round with supple but grainy tannins. Big dark chocolate, peppery, cassis jam, blackberry, mocha vanilla flavours with some tobacco with a dusting of cherry cola on the finish. Very long and concentrated in the finish; should continue to improve for at least 10 more years. (AG)

92 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $72.99 Specialty, US $40.00 winery direct
Fifteen-year-old Napa Valley hillsides east of the Silverado Trail are the home to Signorello's low yielding cabernet grapes ― less than 2 tons to the acre. Cedar black currant, vanilla and peppery cardamom notes mark the nose and flavours. Supple fine-grained tannins that are the softest we've seen from this winery with chocolate, cassis jam, mocha flavours. A fine effort at fair price. (AG)

94 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $60.00 specialty listing, ON $49.00 Vintages, US $40.00 winery direct
Napa Valley hillsides east of the Silverado Trail are the home to Signorello's low yielding cabernet grapes ― now at 17 years of age and around 2 tons to the acre it is settling in a for a long run of quality. The '04 is intense and black but with a twist of Stags Leap refinement. Look for black currant, vanilla and pepper to dominate with a full showy mid-palate and finish. The tannins are substantial but fine grained. It will take a decade of ageing to really release the full glory of this wine. (AG)

95 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $70.00 specialty listing, US $40.00 winery direct
The long relatively cool growing season that was 2005 in Napa produced wines lower in alcohol and higher in acidity, in short more elegant, more interesting and capable of holding your attention for an entire bottle. Add that to the winemaking philosophy at Signorello and you have a fabulous cabernet. From the moment you smell the bouquet you are drawn to this very special bottle. The wineries 18 years old vines have clicked into overdrive and the wine shows it. Polished black fruit with specks of vanilla and spice captivate the nose and palate along with a vibrancy and tension that is rare in Napa. Love the finesse here, the tannin management the fruit and the acidity. One beautiful bottle for the price and this will only improve over the next decade. (AG)

91 Signorello Chardonnay 1998
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $54.95
A long cool fermentation all in French oak lends this wine big-time sophistication. Pear, pineapple and hazelnuts are the upfront flavours while honey and vanilla wrap up the finish. Quite a standout among '98 Napa chardonnays. (AG)

90 Signorello Chardonnay 2000
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $68.90
Clove, sweaty lees, vanilla, honey aromas with some smoky, floral, citrus tones. Rich, round and quite intense with more fatness, has ripe mango, melon, honey, smoky lees and vanilla flavours with a somewhat oily texture. Big ripe style with lots of lees and oak, just a tad hot and bitter but good ripe fruit overall. (AG)

92 Signorello Chardonnay Estate Vieilles Vignes 2002
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $59.99 Specialty
At Signorello "Vieilles Vignes" means vines that are 24 years old and fruit that is unfiltered and native yeast fermented. The yields are a stunningly low 1.7 tons per acre on average. Less new oak and less toast is de rigueur nowadays at Signorello something we wish the rest of California would catch on to. The emphasis' is more and more on fruit as evidenced by its rich apple/pear flavours and mineral streaks throughout. A complex heady, mouth-filling chardonnay with elegance. (AG)

93 Signorello Chardonnay Vielles Vignes 2003
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $59.99 Specialty
Enticing attractive notes of butter, spicy lees, vanilla, melon, orange and baked green apples mark the nose. Rich, round, elegant and concentrated on the mid-palate with fine acidity. More buttery vanilla, cream, spicy lees and peachy/orange, quince flavours. Fine length and balance if a bit alcoholic in the finish. This is stylish Napa chardonnay. (AG)

93 Signorello Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2004
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $59.99 specialty listing
This is another enticing, attractive sophisticated chardonnay from Signorello. Spicy lees, muted vanilla, and tropical fruit tones mark the nose. The textures are rich yet elegant with fine acidity. Again, the oak is being handled very well and less malolactic (30 per cent) allows the fruit to shine. Look for creamy spicy pear apple fruit flecked with orange rind. This is delicious chardonnay well above the Napa norm. (AG)

92 Signorello Chardonnay Vielles Vignes 2006
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $52.00 specialty listing
Mineral, peach skin, butter, vanilla, guava, melon, citrus aromas with a honey, mineral streak. Rich, round, elegant but crisp style with good viscosity but warm. Baked green apple, melon, citrus, spicy lees, nutty, butter, lemon and honey flavours with a touch of bitter apple on the finish. A full but austere, dry style with good aromatics and some big alcohol. It needs a year or 2 to settle down. (AG)

93 Signorello Chardonnay Vielles Vignes 2007
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $56.00 specialty listing
The nose is fresh and open thanks to only 23 per cent new oak. Look for mineral, peach skin, apple butter, vanilla, citrus aromas with a mineral honey streak in the back. The entry is round and rich with more citrus, spicy, nutty, butter, lemon and honey flavours. There is excellent finesse here, the kind that makes you want to finish the bottle. Will easily aged two to four years. (AG)


96 Signorello Padrone 1997
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $209.90
Impossibly low yields of barley one ton to the acre make this tribute to Ray Signorello Sr. and outstanding Napa wine. This is mostly cabernet sauvignon with 15 percent merlot and 7.5 percent cabernet franc mixed in and aged in 90 percent new oak. Beg borrow or steal a bottle of this stuff, it is sensational. We love the elegance and Bordelais styling. Understated, classy and the way wine should be. Only 580 six-packs were produced. (AG)

95 Signorello Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $126.00 Specialty
Peppery, cardamom, tarry, barnyard, coffee, olive, dill, saddle leather aromas with smoky, blackberry cassis fruit core. Rich, round, concentrated and long with supple tannins. Intense black pepper, tarry, smoky, vanilla, black olive, dill, spicy blackberry jam flavours. A bit tannic on the finish but ripe, long and balanced. Big and an excellent 2000 - should improve for the next 5-7 years. The 2001 will be even better but at a slightly higher price ($150). (AG-ST)

95 Signorello Padrone 2001
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $150.00 Specialty
Big open blackberry jam nose laced with licorice, dark chocolate, cigar, black olive, orange rind, pudding aromas with just a hint of mineral, violet and cassis underneath. Quite rich and concentrated with intense, fat, ripe tannins and more cassis jam, blackberry, chocolate, cigar and spicy orange peel flavours. The finish is a mix of creamy vanilla, toasted licorice with some dusty earth aspects. Ripe, long, warm but balanced with great acidity and length. Primo stuff and relatively good value. The '01 Padrone is a 77/13/10 blend of cabernet sauvignon merlot and cabernet franc. (AG-ST)

95 Signorello Padrone 2004
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $120.00 specialty listing, AB $121.00 private wine stores
Big cedar, tobacco, plum, blackberry, spicy, floral, peppery, earthy, coriander, mineral aromas. Rich, round, full bodied and concentrated with lots of young, smooth grained tannins. Spicy, coffee, cedar, vanilla, mocha, earthy, tobacco, cassis jam, black berry, licorice and orange peel flavours. Youthful, warm finish but very good finesse and fruit throughout. Needs 4-7 years. Excellent (AG-ST)

93 Signorello Padrone 2005
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $145.00 specialty listing
Very spicy, peppery, ripe cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf, floral, coffee, licorice aromas. Rich, round, dry, full bodied style with supple but grainy tannins. Cedar, smoky, earthy, tobacco, peppery, cassis jam, blackberry, resin, savoury, vanilla flavours. Finish is warm and a bit tight, needs 3-7 years to soften. The current edition is slightly tighter with a dash of herbal cabernet character not seen last year. It should be fine with some bottle age. (AG-ST)

91 Signorello Seta 2001 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $49.99 Specialty
This barrel fermented 60/40 sémillon/sauvignon blend is 'silky' smooth on the palate living up to its Italian moniker 'Seta.' Spicy melon notes with nectarine skin and citrus rind undertones. Juicy rich fresh and creamy this is a delicious drop of wine and should be on every wine list in the city. Serious and sophisticated. (AG)

90 Signorello Seta 2003 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $39.99 Specialty
This wine has become consistently reliable over the years. Look for honey, vanilla, spicy fig, buttery, citrus, dry lees and mineral aromas. Dry, round, elegant style but rich with buttery fig, grapefruit, green melon, honey, vanilla and spicy lees flavours. A bit young at this point to be sipping but it does have fine concentration. It will definitely repay another year or two of bottle ageing in the cellar. (AG)

90 Signorello Seta 2004 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $39.99 specialty listing, US $25.00 retail
Seta has become one of the most consistent white wines we see from California. The '04 has an oily lime rind entry with honey, passion fruit and spicy fig aromas. On the palate it's dry and elegant with figgy grapefruit, honey, mineral, vanilla flavours. Stylish white wine you can lay down another year or two with no problem. The blend is 60/40 sémillon /sauvignon blanc. There's better oak management here and less oak as Ray Signorello continues to fine-tune this gem. (AG)

91 Signorello Seta 2006 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $38.00 specialty listing, US $25.00 retail
The Seta (silk in Italian) model is Bordeaux Blanc, specifically Haut Brion. The blend is a silky mix of 60/40 sémillon/sauvignon blanc and it delivers on the palate. A consistent performer its mix of nectarine skin and minerality on the nose with bits of lime rind and passion fruit. On the palate it's oh so elegant with bright citrus fruit flavours and as always finely balanced in the finish. Very fine indeed. (AG)

91 Signorello Seta 2007 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $38.00 specialty listing, US $25.00 retail
Nettle, floral, spicy, grassy, nectarine, passion fruit, slate, green apple skin aromas with a touch of lees and vanilla. Ripe, round, rich but elegant and creamy palate. Dry with lots of vanilla cream, melon, passion fruit, melon, grapefruit, nettle, lemon, cooked gooseberry with a touch of guava on the finish. Good finesse in a ripe but slightly austere style. (AG)