2008 Verite - La Muse

UNITED STATES / CALIFORNIA / SONOMA
  • 100 WA
  • 91 WS
  • 93 IWC
  • Variety
    Proprietary Blend
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SKU: 60331-2008-750-3A
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  • International Wine Cellar | Rating: 93

    (90% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% malbec): Bright red-ruby. Inviting nose offers cherry, raspberry and chocolate truffle. Explosive on the front half, with sexy spices lifting and intensifying the redcurrant fruit. Today the wine's tannins give the finish a slightly dry quality but the intensity and subtle persistence of this wine suggest that it simply needs time. Pierre Seillan typically does a pre-fermentation cold soak lasting four or five days, then about eight days of fermentation and no post-fermentation maceration. The malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels of various toast levels and from numerous French forests.
    Author: Stephen Tanzer
    Issue: May/June 2012

  • Wine Advocate | Rating: 100

    A blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec (52% Chalk Hill, 45% Alexander Mountain Estate and 3% Bennett Valley fruit), the 2008 may have even greater intensity and richness than the 2007. Still young and unformed, it exhibits phenomenal richness and equilibrium as well as a finish that lasts nearly a minute. Its dense plum/purple color is accompanied by notions of black fruits, forest floor, truffles and spring flowers. It should age for 25-30+ years.
    Author: Robert Parker

  • Wine Spectator | Rating: 91

    Shows great structure and intensity, with appealing notes of leather and cedar akin to a Bordeaux. Aromas of black cherry and bay leaf lead to firm flavors of plum, dried herb and mineral that finish with firm tannins. Needs time. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
    Author: Tim Fish
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  • Self | Rating: 94

    Author: Leftymtb
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"The name Verite, French for truth, stands for wines that reflect their soil with integrity." The artisanal project of the late legendary California wine pioneer Jess Jackson, Verite sets out to produce serious Bordeaux-quality wines, with distinct California charm. To carry out his vision, Jackson imported Bordelais winemaker Pierre Seillan to craft three separate cuvees, each in the style of individual Bordeaux communes.

From high elevation vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, Knight's Valley, Bennett Valley and Chalk Hill appellations, comes "La Joie," "Le Desire," and "La Muse." While "La Joie" is a Cabernet-based nod to Paulliac, "Le Desire" and "La Muse" aspire toward Cabernet Franc-friendly Saint-Emilion and Merlot-centric Pomerol respectively. Not unlike their Bordeux counterparts, these wines are built to last 30-50 years, so to expect a typical fruit-driven, vivacious wine would be a mistake. The care taken to craft these profound efforts has been recognized by Robert Parker, who has awarded seven 100-point scores for Verite's three blends, the first time a Sonoma County winery has received this many perfect scores.
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California is the heartland of wine production in the US, and the state that brought prestige to American wine thanks to the pioneers who built early wineries like Staglin, Beringer, Ridge, Mayacamas and Chateau Montelena in the 1800s. Its large geographic area ensures a great diversity in growing sites, varieties grown, and quality levels. Generalizations about the state's wines have numerous exceptions; however, a few key facts generally hold true—ample sunshine, dry weather during the growing season, and moderate winters prevail. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon continue to dominate the state's production—albeit in continually smaller percentages, as growers continue to diversify. More than 100 different varieties can be found throughout the state.

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Collector Data For This Wine

  • 278 bottles owned
  • 67 collectors
  • Average collector rating: 94
    (Out of 67 collectors)