The new Wine Spectator favorite hit the scene just after I had already secured our allocation with friend Chris Morisoli. When he joined my summer bocce team in St. Helena, he first mentioned his new project— and given the pedigree of the vineyard and its prime location in west Rutherford, I was instantly intrigued to see how the winemaking and site would translate in the bottle. The 2021 vintage is outstanding, and if you missed the last release, you’re in luck- this is their best vintage yet. I retasted it at last month’s Inspire Napa Valley Wine Weekend VIP Dinner spotlighting the best of Rutherford, and it was phenomenal. Bold and structured, it delivers ripe black cherry, cassis, and notes of mocha and savory herbs, with polished tannins and a long, powerful finish built to age.

The Morisoli family has owned this 53-acre property tucked at the base of the Mayacamas mountain range since 1902. It's located in the heart of renowned Rutherford bench along Neibaum Lane. This is hallowed ground in the valley with neighbors including Inglenook and Scarecrow’s JJ Cohn Vineyard. Morisoli vines grow in alluvial soils eroded from the Mayacamas mountain range, resulting in well-drained soils that consistently produce complex wines with firm tannins and abundant fruit flavors. The grape harvest was sold entirely to other producers until son Chris returned home after a career in the army with a determination to produce the family’s own wines. After Chris convinced his parents to get on board with the cause, the family produced its first vintage in 2018 with the help of winemaker Joel Aiken.