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INTRODUCING “FELIX CULPA” – A HAPPY ACCIDENT BY ADAM
One unintended blend. One unexpectedly great wine.
In Christian theology, Felix Culpa refers to the “fortunate fall”—the idea that Adam’s original sin led to something ultimately good. In this case, the sin was Adam Lee’s: accidentally blending three sample bottles of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir with one from the Russian River Valley. Each sample bottle represented a different barrel. He meant to stay within the AVA lines… but didn’t.
And yet, the resulting blend was too good to ignore.
After some debate (okay, maybe an argument), we decided to bottle it. The 2024 Felix Culpa is a vibrant, textured Pinot Noir:
- 56% whole cluster fermentation
- 25% new French oak
- 100% native yeast and malolactic fermentation
It’s structured, bright, and alive—proof that not all mistakes are bad ones (although Morét may not agree this should become a habit). Only 92 cases were produced, so this might be a one-time thing… unless fate—and Adam—intervene again.
SHIPPING FALL 2025 – WEATHER PERMITTING
WINE BERSERKERS FUTURES PRICING
Retail Price: $45/bottle
6 bottles: $39/bottle – includes tax + ground shipping (continental U.S. – where allowed by law) 2024 Felix Culpa Monterey County Pinot Noir – 6 PACK FUTURES OFFERING – Adam Lee Wine
12 bottles: $30/bottle – includes tax + ground shipping (continental U.S – where allowed by law) 2024 Felix Culpa Monterey County Pinot Noir – 12 PACK FUTURES OFFERING – Adam Lee Wine
24 bottles: $25/bottle – includes tax + ground shipping (continental U.S. – where allowed by law) 2024 Felix Culpa Monterey County Pinot Noir – 24 PACK FUTURES OFFERING – Adam Lee Wine
Introducing Morét’s Cabernet Sauvignon – A Long Time Coming
Morét’s wine journey began in the tasting room of Silver Oak – where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme. Later, during her five-year tenure at HALL Wines, her connection to the varietal only deepened. So while she went on to launch her own Pinot-focused label, it was only a matter of time before Cabernet made its way into her barrels—despite Adam’s frequent jabs that Cabernet is “the inferior grape” (Adam Lee has been written up as a Pinot Wizard, Legend, and Whisperer – clearly a bias towards Pinot).
The opportunity came when a client asked Morét to craft a Cabernet Sauvignon. Knowing this moment would come, Adam had been preparing—slowly and strategically influencing her Cabernet palate. He wasn’t opposed to Cabernet entirely (after all, he grew up loving the legendary 1984–1987 vintages); he just disliked what many modern Cabs had become. So he would frequently share with her Cabernets focusing on his preferences: ecstatic regarding a winemaker dinner with Cathy Corison, opening bottles from Pilcrow, and securing an invite to the Spottswoode Garden Party.
As a nod to his influence, Morét swapped her signature California poppy label for the Texas bluebonnet—Adam’s home state flower.
Her debut Cabernet is a thoughtful blend of classic structure and modern concentration. Grown on a steep hillside above northern Sonoma Valley with a western view toward Sebastopol, the fruit wasn’t picked until late October in 2023—small berries, low yields, and loads of character. The vineyard produced less than two tons per acre, and the result is a Cabernet that’s vibrant, textured, with an honest Cabernet character.
Only 92 cases were made—and in a world of overripe, overpriced Cabs, this one is a welcome outlier. Even Adam is impressed.
(and so were others – 97 Points – The Somm Journal; 94 Points – Lisa Perrotti Brown; 93+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck; 93 Points – John Gilman in A View from the Cellar; 92 Points – Vinous)
3 bottles – including tax and continental USA ground shipping – regularly $345 – Wine Berserker Price $282 2023 Morét-Brealynn Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 3 Pack – Adam Lee Wine
6 bottles – including tax and continental USA ground shipping – regularly $690 – Wine Berserker Price $509 2023 Morét-Brealynn Cabernet Sauvignon – 6 PACK SPECIAL PRICE – Adam Lee Wine
12 bottles – including tax and continental USA ground shipping – regularly $1380 – Wine Berserker Price $829 2023 Morét-Brealynn Cabernet Sauvignon – 12 PACK SPECIAL – Adam Lee Wine
CLARICE, MY DAD, AND SOME DAMN GOOD PINOT
Clarice was my grandmother—born in 1896 in Giddings, Texas—and she was my best friend growing up. My dad, Howard Lee, was born on July 11, 1921. I still smile thinking about him making my grandfather the butt of a gentle joke, just to make Clarice laugh (picture below).
When I started Clarice Wine Company, I named it for her. The goal? Make serious, age worthy Pinot Noir—especially from a place I love: the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region had plenty of flashy Pinots, but I’ve worked with these vines since their first fruit 25 years ago, and I believed it could offer more. Through deep roots, thoughtful farming, and a lot of whole cluster fermentation—I’m doing my best to prove that this region rivals the best Pinot growing regions in the world.
Apparently, people agree. Lisa Perrotti-Brown recently called me “one of Northern California’s greatest crafters of Pinot Noir,” and John Gilman named me one of his favorite American Pinot producers.
But just because the wines are serious doesn’t mean I have to be. So, in honor of my dad’s birthday—and Clarice’s memory—I’m offering something for Wine Berserkers that brings both soul and fun.
THE CLARICE BERSERKER PACK
- 2 bottles 2023 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
96 POINTS – VINOUS – “…the 2023 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is a stone-cold stunner. A rush of blue/purple fruit, deep, layered exotic spice tones and calibrated cooling acidity join together in a wine of supreme finesse. A slight decrease in the whole cluster usage in this even, long-hanging vintage worked so well. I can’t wait to taste this from bottle.”
96 POINTS – JEBDUNNUCK.COM – “ the 2023 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is mostly sourced from the Garys’ Vineyard, with roughly a quarter from the Rosella’s Vineyard. It’s fantastic at this early stage, offering spicy aromas of ripe black raspberries, violets, and wet stones that continues to the palate with a crunchy youthfulness. It’s going to take its time loosening its grip, as it has good tension all the way through, but this is going to be a vibrant vintage for this wine….”
- 2 bottles 2023 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
98 POINTS – TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE – Winemaker Adam Lee has created a wine that exhibits a well-developed and cared-for garden of jasmine and roses. It’s sleek, exciting intense, and exotic, with cherry blossom, maple, and sweet tobacco. A pinch of white pepper awakens hibiscus and tangerine on the memorable finish.”
96 POINTS – JEBDUNNUCK.COM – “A fantastic floral perfume lifts from the 2023 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard, comes from a site closer to the coast and sees some whole cluster on the Pommard clone in the blend. It’s both floral and spicy, with high-toned floral note that comes through along with notes of pomegranate. There’s linear acidity driving the wine forward with a fantastic tension at this young stage, and I love the electricity that comes through in this sample.”
95 POINTS – VINOUS – “…the 2023 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is a deeply spiced, floral, mineral-driven red. Tight and tannic, the 2023 is a sleeping giant right now, expressive as all get out on the nose but wound up like a ball of rubber bands in the mouth. Time, time, time.”
- Regular Price: $451 all in
- BERSERKER PRICE: $350 including tax & shipping (continental U.S. where allowed)
- Only 30 packs available
ORDER HERE: CLARICE, MY DAD, AND SOME DAMN GOOD PINOT – 4 PACK OFFERING – Adam Lee Wine
PLUS: I’ll randomly select one buyer to receive one FREE year Clarice membership, including a mixed 6-pack of the upcoming 2024 Clarice Pinots.
Serious Pinot. Some fun. A little Texas heart. Hope you enjoy.
—Adam Lee
Clarice Wine Company