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Tasting notes
There were a little over 2,000 cases of the 2011 La Muse produced, and this Merlot-dominated beauty checks in as 89% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It has a Cheval Blanc-like bouquet of darker currants, cherries, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and graphite that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. More medium to full-bodied on the palate, it doesn't have the density of a bigger, riper year but has terrific overall balance, ripe, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. As with the other releases, it's still youthful (there's no hint of bricking or amber at the edges), and while it's drinking beautifully today, it has another 15 years or so of prime drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 La Muse presents a distinctly Old World profile of savory herbs, smoke, iron, tobacco, cedar and bright red stone fruits. This is a relatively soft, slender, small-scaled vintage for La Muse, but all the elements are nicely balanced. The 2011 can be enjoyed now or cellared for another decade.
The 2011 La Muse (2,100 cases) is a Pomerol-styled wine made from 89% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a dense ruby color along with attractive aromas of Christmas fruitcake, sweet baking spices, red and blackcurrants and licorice. Medium to full-bodied and complete, it tails off slightly in the finish, but this outstanding 2011 should offer pleasure over the next 10-15 years. Tel. (707) 433-9000
(14.4% alcohol; 89% merlot, 7% malbec and 4% cabernet franc): Deep ruby-red. Terrific lift to the aromas of cassis, licorice, mint, minerals and bitter chocolate, accented by herbs and rose petal. The middle palate offers outstanding depth for 2011, as well as terrific definition and energy to the dark berry, nutmeg and cassis leaf flavors. Finishes classically dry, with subtle building length. Seillan told me he uses the malbec "for spice, not to add color or volume." A huge success for the vintage.
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.