Verite, La Joie 2008

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2008 La Joie (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec) reveals sweet fruitcake, creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, licorice, and incense characteristics as well as tremendous body. It is the biggest, richest, most substantial and promising of this trio. It reveals a Pauillac-like, cedary, black currant-scented nose that suggests a first-growth Bordeaux. It, too, should age effortlessly for three decades or more. (Not yet released) The 2007s appear to be the greatest wines Verite has yet produced under the leadership of Jess Jackson and his winemaking guru, Bordelais Pierre Seillan. These extraordinary wines, built for the long term (much like top Bordeaux), are fashioned from some of the finest fruit sources Jess Jackson owns in Sonoma County. I have purchased and loved these cuvees from the beginning, and have followed their aging process (which is glacially slow). Production of these wines is small, but not ridiculously so. There are just over 1,460 cases of La Muse, nearly 2,000 cases of La Joie, and just under 1,900 cases of Le Desir. The 2008s are also strong efforts. Given the fact that Verite’s wines often perform better out of bottle than they do from barrel, this may be another powerful, long-lived vintage. Available through Vin Lux Fine Wines, tel. (866) 462-4641; Fax (866) 853-1707

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

How much fun collectors will have comparing the 2007 and 2008 La Joies over the next three decades. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (48% from Alexander Valley Mountain Estate, 34% from Chalk Hill and 18% from Knight’s Valley), the 2008 has similar technical numbers to the 2007 (a pH of 3.68 and 14.4% alcohol). Wonderful notes of roasted herbs, asphalt, black truffles, blackberries, cassis, camphor and subtle oak are present in the majestic aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is extraordinarily concentrated, pure and dense with amazing length. It is another 30-40 year wine that confirms the confidence the late Jess Jackson had in both his vineyard sources and his winemaker, Pierre Seillan.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2008 La Joie (2,000 cases) is reminiscent of a California version of Chateau Montrose. Tannic, earthy and dense with lots of muscle, creme de cassis, underbrush and loamy soil notes, this wine should easily last 50+ years. Tremendous density and richness suggest a powerhouse that should be forgotten for 4-5 years and drunk over the following half century. Jess Jackson and his Bordelais winemaker, Pierre Seillan, have followed their 2007s (the finest wines they have ever made) with strong efforts in 2008. To understand these wines, readers must realize that they are not meant for near-term drinking, but rather for extended cellaring. Seillan truly wants to produce a wine with the ripeness of California fruit backed up by the structure and ageability of a top Bordeaux. All of these cuvees come from Sonoma County estate vineyards owned by Jess Jackson. The La Muse (dominated by Merlot) offering represents Verite’s right bank Pomerol-styled wine, La Joie is their Medoc-styled effort dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Le Desir is more of a St.-Emilion, possibly Graves-styled wine dominated by Cabernet Franc blended with Merlot. These wines all need 4-5 years of bottle age, and are capable of lasting three decades or more. If you did not catch the 2007s that were released in 2010, my scores are as follows: 2007 Le Desir (98), 2007 La Joie (100) and 2007 La Muse (99). Tel. (866) 462-4641; Fax (866) 853-1707

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(14.3% alcohol): Saturated ruby-red. Slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, tar, licorice, menthol, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate. The sweetest of this trio of '08s on entry, then firm acidity kicks in to keep the fine-grained black cherry, blackberry, mineral and leafy flavors under wraps today. Quite light on its feet and wonderfully energetic in the way of a tightly coiled spring, even if it's not yet showing the texture of the Vérité Right Bank blends. Finishes classically dry and very long, with some medicinal reserve and a firm tannic spine to ensure a very long life in bottle.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright medium ruby. Highly aromatic nose and palate combine black fruits, licorice, minerals and bitter chocolate. Round and lush, with terrific intensity but also a distinctly youthful quality that suggests this wine will need patience. Finishes firmly tannic but not dry, with impressive persistence. Beginning with this vintage, Seillan has used a new robotic sorting machine that eliminates berries that are too big or too small.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(the Medoc blend in the line-up, based on 71% cabernet sauvignon) Full medium ruby. Crushed cassis, licorice, menthol, minerals and violet on the very dark nose. Very concentrated and juicy but a bit youthfully imploded, with fruity, peppery acidity giving energy and lift to the middle palate. The very long, rising finish features building tannins and lingering black fruits.