Verité - La Muse, La Joie, Le Désir Assortment, 2021, 75cl

The Muse

The 2021 La Muse is composed of 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, and the wine was matured for 16 months in 95% new French oak. Although it's youthfully shy on the nose, it can't hide its jewel-like quality and offers bright flashes of violet, cast iron, cassis, dark plums and blackcurrant buds. The palate is surprisingly light on its feet, its concentrated flavors supported by lacy tannins and bright bursts of acidity. Pure and plush, it opens dramatically over several days and will be very long lived in the cellar. 2,500 cases produced. Drink date: 2027 - 2047

The Desire

The 2021 Le Désir is composed of 87% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 3% Malbec—Pierre Seillan says it's the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc this blend has ever incorporated. Matured for 16 months in 95% new French oak, it has an opaque ruby ​​color and very slowly unfolding scents of chocolate-covered blueberries, cast iron, violet, bay leaves and cardamom. The full-bodied palate features transparent, alluringly herbal flavors. It's structured by clay-textured tannins and bright acidity, and it has a very long, spicy finish. It transforms dramatically over several days and will be epically long lived in the cellar. 2,500 cases produced. Drink date: 2027 - 2047

Joy

The 2021 La Joie is composed of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, and the wine was matured for 16 months in 95% new French oak. It's exceptionally pure and layered on the nose, its scents of blackcurrant and blueberry accented by tones of lavender and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is effortlessly seamless. It features Goldilocks ripeness, loads of powdery, suede-textured tannins and bursts of mouthwatering acidity. Although its flavors are youthfully coiled, it opens dramatically over several days, and it will be epically long lived in the cellar. 2,500 cases were made. Drink date: 2030 - 2050

- Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate