2005 Le Desir
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Tasting notes
(14.4% alcohol): Bright ruby. Distinctly wilder on the nose than La Muse, showing a sexy Old World funk to the aromas of black raspberry, leather, smoked meat and mocha. Wonderfully fine-grained but distinctly leathery, with slightly peppery acidity giving power and vinosity to the middle palate. But in a rather sauvage style compared to La Muse, and less pliant and sweet. The leather component gives the tannins a dusty edge. A second bottle showed a bit more texture but was still a bit dry-edged.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The myth perpetrated by Old World wine proponents is that California wines don’t age. Those critics need to taste Verité, because these wines are aging far slower than I imagined. Perfect in its own right, and probably my favorite of the three Verite wines I tasted, the absolutely, drop-dead bouquet of the 2005 Le Désir is the most stunningly complex and fragrant display of a blend of Bordeaux varietals (50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Malbec) that I have found in my horizontal tastings of 2005. This is the Sonoma version of an Ausone, for lack of a better frame of reference. Like its siblings, it is opaque purple, with an extraordinary and exhilarating nose of blackberries, forest floor, graphite, licorice and hints of charcoal embers and truffle. Very plush, it is the most evolved and silkiest of all three cuvées. This is another prodigious effort with fabulous purity, depth and overall harmony. This wine is just remarkable, and anyone lucky enough to own any of these wines is in for untold joy over the next 25-20+ years. I just hope the owners live long enough to see these wines at their peak!
(50% cabernet franc, 39% merlot, 9% cabernet sauvignon and 2% malbec) Good medium ruby. Cherry, minerals and caramelized meat on the nose. Wonderfully lush, suave and fine-grained, with captivating flavors of dark berries, black cherry, gravel and lilac. Finishes with extremely fine tannins, superb grip and outstanding subtle persistence. This reminded me of a ripe vintage of Cheval Blanc.
(50% cabernet franc, 39% merlot, 9% cabernet sauvignon and 2% malbec) Good bright medium ruby. Reticent but vibrant nose offers medicinal cassis, black cherry and licorice. Comparatively cool in the mouth, opening slowly to reveal black cherry, dark berries, licorice, spices and flowers. Extremely primary today but already fine-grained, seamless and utterly suave. This positively vibrates on the aftertaste, finishing with great subtle mounting persistence and minerality. A knockout in the making. These wines are at the level of quality of the very best Napa Valley collectibles at half the price.
About the producer
The winery was the dream of Jess Jackson, the man who founded the incredibly successful Jackson Family Wines. He, however, wanted to produce truly fine wine in Sonoma County.