Verite La Muse 2006

The 2006 La Muse (86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec; 900 cases produced) displays the structure, austerity, and tannic framework of a top Bordeaux. Even though it is dominated by California-grown Merlot, it is not an up-front, forward, seductive effort. It exhibits notes of underbrush, earth, cedar, black cherries, and espresso roast in a medium to full-bodied, tannic, concentrated, extracted style. It requires 3-4 years of bottle age, and should evolve for 25+ years.

Lots going on in this mountain-grown wine. It's perfectly dry and strong in tannins, with and elusive quality of excellence that testifies to the best terroir. Showing blackberry, black cherry, mineral, and oak flavors, it should develop bottle complexity for at least the next decade.