2015 Le Desir
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Tasting notes
64% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec. Harvest 31 August to 12 September. There will be no 2020 release, so Vérité are instead offering three-bottle verticals of 2019, 2015 and 2012. Still very youthful, with riper kirsch tones than the 2019, but there are also subtle notes of rosemary and graphite. The palate has depth and grip from plentiful tannins, but they are well managed and ripe, blending into the sweet fruit at the core. This is just starting to show savoury notes of leather and nutmeg, but the best is yet to come. (TP)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Le Désir is a blend of 64% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. It's dusty and a touch closed at this stage, featuring reticent notions of red and black currants, cigars and mushroom. The palate is softening and juicy, with a deep core of fruit and a mineral-driven finish. Put it away and forget about it for a while—it's in a muted phase right now.
64% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec. Earlier-than-usual harvest began on 31 August. Lively crimson. Smells very rich and aromatic in the camphor spectrum. Sweet start and the tannins are particularly well managed. Creamy texture and the flavour is even slightly buttery. Clean, non-hot finish. (JR)
The 2015 Le Désir, Vérité's Cabernet Franc-based red, is racy and sumptuous in the glass. Bright floral notes give lift to the red-toned fruit as this silky yet powerful wine shows off its alluring personality.
About the producer
The winery was the dream of Jess Jackson, the man who founded the incredibly successful Jackson Family Wines. He, however, wanted to produce truly fine wine in Sonoma County.