verite le desir-la joie-la muse assortment 2017

verite winery is located in sonoma county, california, and produces bordeaux-style wines that are highly regarded by critics and wine enthusiasts alike. the winery was founded by jess jackson, who was also the founder of the famous kendall-jackson winery. verite produces three flagship wines, namely le desir, la joie, and la muse. le desir is a cabernet franc-dominated blend that also includes merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec. la joie is a cabernet sauvignon-dominant blend that also includes merlot and cabernet franc. la muse is a merlot-dominant blend that also includes cabernet franc and malbec. these wines are typically produced in limited quantities and are highly sought after. as for the 2017 vintages,he is considered excellent vintages in the region, with ideal weather conditions resulting in wines with great balance and complexity. composed of 100% merlot for the first time this year, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 la muse rolls sensuously out of the glass with scents of black raspberries, black forest cake, boysenberries and cinnamon toast, followed by nuances of a garrigue, forest floor, beef drippings and clove oil. medium to full-bodied, the richly fruited palate slowly builds in the mouth to a crescendo of black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by exceptionally ripe, round tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. stylistically, it stands apart from previously vintages, possessing the same magical intensity, but with less weight and more pop. 2,500 cases were made.