In the sunny Salento area, since 1950, the Mocaveros produce high quality wines that spread out qualities such as tradition, taste, research, passion whom Francesco and Marco are devoted, as homage to the heritage of their father Pietro.
By convention, the birth of the Mocavero winery is traced back to 1950, when an uncle of Pietro's, Tommaso, bequeathed the winery to him. In reality, the roots go back much farther in time, to the early 20th century, with the work and passion of Francesco and Marco's great-grandparents. In the 1950s, the first winery was built in the historic center of Monteroni di Lecce, a few kilometers from Lecce. The wine was produced and sold in bulk and was very popular in the local market of Lecce and the surrounding area .
In the 1990s, Francesco and Marco picked up the family tradition and gave birth to the fourth generation of winemakers, leading the winery to success, like true “warriors,” as their surname would mean in Arabic, with enthusiasm and resourcefulness. Personally following the selection of grapes, vinification, aging and bottling, Francesco and Marco have contributed to the growth of the winery, to establish themselves internationally as producers of great native wines-Primitivo and Negroamaro in primis-and to break away from the past of producers of “blending” wines for the great wines of northern Italy. Not only passion, but also initiative and enthusiasm, as the name Mocavero itself indicates in ancient Arabic: 'Warriors'. Yes, Warriors of Taste, Artisans of Wine.
Nowadays, Mocavero production includes 12 red wines, 3 white ones, 2 rosé ones, 1 dessert natural sweet wine, whom we can gather in 5 lines.
Today the winery is located in the countryside of Arnesano, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, where Francesco and Marco, following both tradition and innovation, with scrupulousness and with taste continue to produce high quality wines which are now a guarantee both in Italy and abroad: in them it is possible to find, besides the goodness of precious grapes, the taste of ancient flavors handed down, the passion of humble and authentic people.
Tradition, passion, quality, dedication and spirit of self-sacrifice have allowed the Mocavero winery to receive numerous awards, the first, in 1994 itself, at the first Vinitaly experience in Verona, where the Salice salentino doc “Puteus” 1989 was a remarkable success.
Today 90% of production is destined for the foreign market: Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, England, Australia and the United States make up the “hard core” of the company's exports. The remaining 10% is taken up by the Italian market, which has been growing sharply, especially in the last year.
Not only “Mocavero” wines. In fact, thanks to a focus on the market and customer needs, the Mocavero winery can call itself “versatile,” managing to produce “private label” wines on behalf of its customers.
With a glance at the past and with the future in mind, like true “warriors,” Francesco and Marco are ready to face new challenges and lead the Company to new goals.
Mocavero Primitivo del Salento is 100% Primitivo.
Deep red color with hints of violet, sweet spicy and ripe fruity notes, soft, persistent taste with skilful balanced tannins.
This ancient vine variety requires special attention during vinification to ensure that it expresses all the varietal characteristics, it needs periodic aeration and a particular temperature control. Once maceration is complete, the must is separated from the marc and fermentation ends in stainless steel tanks.Once it has been fermented the wine is refined in american Oak barrels for 3-4 months. When the refining process is complete, the wine is filtered and bottled.
Pairs best with roast meat, wild fowl, cold-cuts and mature cheese.
“Puteus” is a Salice Salentino DOP reserve, made of 80% of Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera, as the disciplinary code requires. In the last stage of fermentation the wine is stored in stainless steel tanks for the first year, then aged in oak barrels. It has a deep red color with hints of violet.
Deep red color with hints of violet, balanced tannin, strong spicy bouquet, with notes of cocoa and coffee, fruity (cherry).
The best wine pairing is with meat dishes, roast meat with a juicy frosting, seasoned cheese and salami, and it sparks with spicy dishes!
Morlet Family Vineyards Mon Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon is made from Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) Cabernet Franc (8%) Merlot (3%) Malbec (2%) Petit Verdot (1%) .
Located on the hillsides of Knights Valley, near Calistoga, this vineyard benefits from its proximity to Mount St. Helena, whose warm and windy climate is ideal for the long ripening of the Bordeaux red varietals. Handcrafted by using classical winemaking techniques, this special wine is dedicated to our son, Paul Morlet.
Dark red with a hue of purple. Intense and complex bouquet of red, black and blue berries intermixed with notes of blueberries, minerals (graphite, wet river rocks) licorice, fresh blond tobacco and a hint of lavender. Full bodied, the palate is reminiscent of the nose, with a richly tannic yet round frame and a great intensity. The hillside tannins and the classical aromatic complexity create a harmonious ensemble, leading to a very long and elegant finish. Built to age for decades, this collectible wine opens up after a few years of cellaring and is particularly representative of this special vineyard from the hillside of Knights Valley. Mon Chevalier features the interaction of the loamy, well drained and rocky volcanic soil, the typical sunny mountain climate and the low-interventionistic Morlet winemaking approach.
Property Name: Mon Chevalier
Name Meaning My Knight Named after our son, Paul Morlet
Type of wine Vineyard designated
Appellation Knights Valley
Vineyard singularity Morlet Family Estate Hillside 1100-1200 feet elevation Rhyolitic, loam & volcanic ash
Typical harvest date End of October
Picking Manual, small lugs, refer truck
Sorting Cluster by cluster, berry per berry
Fermentation Through native yeast Tank and Puncheons
Upbringing 16 months French oak from artisan coopers
Bottling Unfiltered
Cellaring time Decades
Serving Room temperature
Decanting recommended
Review:
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier comes from the Knights Valley, just north of Napa Valley in the larger Sonoma County, and it always seems to me to have one foot in Napa and one foot in Sonoma. Boasting a similar ruby/purple color (as do all of the releases here), it’s slightly more reserved and stately (knightly, if you will), with building aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, toasted bread, dried violets, baking spices, and loamy earth. These carry to a pure, full-bodied, multi-dimensional Cabernet that’s flawlessly balanced, has ripe yet certainly present tannins, a notable sense of minerality, and a great, great finish. It’s just another incredible wine from Luc Morlet that can be drunk today with ample pleasure or cellared for 20-30 years if, for some reason, you feel the need to delay gratification.
-Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points
Cattail Creek Chardonnay Russian River Valley is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
From the heart of Sonoma's Russian River Valley, one of California's premier Chardonnay appellations, this wine showcases the region's signature combination of rich fruit character and bright acidity. Cool morning fog and afternoon breezes produce Chardonnay of exceptional balance, with notes of ripe pear, green apple, and citrus complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and toast. The palate is round and full-bodied yet refreshing, with a long, elegant finish.