Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Verite
Label Name:
 
 (la Muse / la Joie / le Desir) 2005-Pack
Vintage:
 
2005
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Sonoma County, California
Volume:
 
3x 750ml
ABV:
 
14.6%
Grape(s):
 
La Muse: 88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec; La Joie: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec; Le Désir: 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec.
Method:
 
Terroir-driven vinification of Bordeaux varieties; cold pre-fermentation maceration for La Joie and extended macerations; barrel-aged ~18 months in predominantly new French oak.
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
5
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18
Tasting Note:
 
Three Bordeaux-style flagship wines: La Muse plush Merlot-driven black cherry, licorice and mocha; La Joie powerful Cabernet with cassis, graphite and leather; Le Désir elegant Cabernet Franc-led with cassis, rose petal and spicy finish.
Food Pairing:
 
Western: roast or braised beef, lamb, game, beef Wellington, beef bourguignon. Asian: Peking duck, char siu, Korean BBQ (bulgogi/galbi), braised beef short ribs, miso-glazed dishes.
Vineyard Info:
 
Created through the collaboration of Jess Jackson (Jackson Family Wines) and vigneron Pierre Seillan; focused on micro‑parcel blending and Sonoma terroir expression. Founded late 1990s, Healdsburg, CA.
Awards/Ratings:
 
La Joie 2005: 100 Robert Parker (Wine Advocate), 100 Decanter, 100 Jeb Dunnuck. La Muse 2005: 98 Robert Parker, 99 Decanter, high scores from James Suckling. Le Désir 2005: 100 Robert Parker, 100 Decanter. (See Vérité and major critics)