Billet Doux Late Harvest Sémillon

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.

Ripe apricots and stewed peaches. Sweet rock candy elegant and well balanced.

11' Morlet Billet Doux. From a 375 . More then enough for four people. Delicious dessert wine.

Best American Semillon Dessert wine I've had

Pretty stunning very Sauterne like , best wine Morlet wine of the tasting.

Beautiful late harvest wine! Tremendous distinct layers. Honey, jasmine, floral, marmalade with great texture.

Nez fumé pain très grillé - un peu trop alcooleux manque de balance et d équilibre

so sweet. Great depth of apricot and orange flavors. This was sticky level. Needed some rich dessert.

About as close as you’ll get to American Sauternes.