2019 Verite La Joie Red Blend Sonoma County

Vérité is a cult winery located in Sonoma County. This estate has more than 50 micro-crus in 4 different appellations in Sonoma: Bennett Valley, Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, and Knights Valley. The result is impressive. Decanter says that these wines are “rich and velvety, and have finesse, focus, and freshness, thus encapsulating the Sonoma style at its best.”

Co-owner Pierre Seillan is a legendary winemaker whose expertise began in his own family estate in southwest France. He also worked in several Châteaux in France like Château de Targé in Loire Valley and in Bordeaux with Raoul and Jean Quancard. Pierre is a man of the land and he’s completely passionate about terroir. He says, “every hillside, every elevation, and every aspect offer us a different micro-cru. The pure expression of these unique sites has from the beginning defined our winemaking philosophy.”

La Joie is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red blend. This grapes come from the steep hillsides and volcanic benches of the Mayacamas Mountains. La Joie, which is translated from French to “The Joy” is precisely that, a joy to open, a joy to taste, and a joy to share. This wine is excentric, energetic, and powerful. A showstopper.

84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Shows a rich core of black-violet concentration, tinged with a very thin, youthful-looking violet rim. The fruit aromatics are fresh and vibrant, with black currant & black plum compote, joined by elements of fresh-cut greenery, and roasted baking spices. The palate illustrates the power and suppleness of the 2019 vintage, lending purity, and sweetness to each of the flavors described. The texture is balanced by tannins evocative of dark baking cocoa and robust acidity, both of which lead to a long, persistent finish.

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2019 La Joie is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a wonderfully flashy and flamboyant nose of blackcurrant cordial, redcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and potpourri with hints of chocolate mint, tilled soil, chalk dust, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is very taut and muscular with tons of bright, crunchy black fruits and wonderful tension, finishing with tons of earthy nuances. 2,500 cases were made. ~100 The Wine Independent.

Composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the remainder of Petit Verdot, the 2019 La Joie is compact and unfolds more slowly in the glass. The nose is rich with graphite, sage oil, and black plum. The palate is full of kirsch, fresh leather, currant, and tobacco, with fine tannins that go for ages, along with the fruit and well-balanced acidity. This will warrant 3-5 years cellar to express its full potential over the following 20 years. ~99 Jeb Dunnuck, #40 Top 100 of 2022

The 2019 La Joie is an elegant expression that offers power, freshness, and expressive, floral character. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, it has a deep ruby color and opens slowly from black cherries and blueberries to accents of violets, ground coffee, and licorice. The full-bodied palate has generous, grainy tannins, detailed, perfumed flavors and bright acidity, finishing with an alluring iron character. 2,500 cases were made. ~99 Robert Parker.

The purity of fruit with currants, spices, and flowers is very impressive, as is the long, creamy texture. Full-bodied with medium, round tannins, and a fresh finish. Oyster and iodine notes come through. Excellent. Drink after 2026. ~98 James Suckling.

Grippy and structured, this is a bold and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine with grippy tannins, a chalky texture almost with licorice spice and blackcurrant fruit. I love the gentle sweetness here and the lifted acidity that keeps it all fresh. A complex and characterful style with plenty to like. On the rich side, there is nuance here. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Aging 16 months in French oak (95% new). ~95 Decanter.

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