Verite "La Joie" Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016M. Chapoutier Ermitage "L'Ermite" Rouge Hermitage 2017
Verite "La Muse" Sonoma Valley Merlot 2016
Varietal:
Merlot
Sub-Region:
Sonoma Valley
Region:
North Coast
Color:
Red
Country/State:
California
100
Wine Advocate
(10/29/2018) "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 La Muse is composed of 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. Wow-it comes strutting out of the glass with flamboyant creme de cassis, ripe plums and black cherries notes followed by nuances of aniseed, chocolate box, wild thyme, violets and chargrill plus a fragrant suggestion of potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the densely packed perfumed black fruit layers are beautifully framed by perfectly ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastically knit freshness. It finishes long with the most incredible display of mineral sparks."
100
Jeb Dunnuck
(6/14/2019) "Including the highest percentage of Merlot (at the moment anyway), the 2016 La Muse checks in as 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec that spent 15-16 months in roughly 90% new French oak. This magical wine shows how good Merlot (and Sonoma) can be and offers extraordinary notes of crushed violets, spring flowers, scorched earth, graphite, black cherries, and creme de cassis. As elegant and seamless as they come, it's full-bodied, perfectly balanced, has an incredible spine of acidity and tannins, and a finish that won't quit. It has the class and purity to drink well even today, but it's not going to hit prime time for at least another decade and will keep for 3-4 decades. Bravo! Maturity: 2019 - 2054"
