WELCOME TO THE VÉRITÉ 2O-YEAR, 2004 VINTAGE RELEASE
2004 Vintage Overview
"A classic Sonoma County vintage, the 2004 growing season had its beginnings in a chilly, rainy winter, which reinvigorated the energy in our Vérité micro-cru vineyards. Warmer weather arrived in early March, and above-average temperatures continued through spring, ushering an early budbreak and beautiful fruit set. The following summer months were warm but not too hot, delivering vigorous canopy growth, which pushed ideal phenolic ripeness in the fruit. Moderate heat spikes in August and early September advanced the season further, leading to an early vintage with sugars, acids, and tannins in terrific equilibrium. The resulting wines are just now entering maturity with grace, complexity, and superb balance, and will continue to repay patient cellaring. Harvest took place August 31 to September 17, 2004."
Vigneron Pierre Seillan
2004 La Muse
TASTING NOTES
2004 La Muse displays a radiant ruby hue ringed with a garnet meniscus, gracefully hinting at this wine’s two decades of bottle age. The nose expresses aromatics of dried strawberry fruit and candied cherry, along with notes of wet cedar, dried evergreen, and dried tobacco, with damp clay minerality. The palate initially reveals a very soft and silky texture, which is quickly framed by brisk, dark cacao tannins and juicy acidity. The flavors on the palate faithfully reflect the elements from the nose, leading to a finish that is driven by mouthwatering acidity and minerality, lasting for several minutes.
Tasting Date: September 2024
WINE INFORMATION
BARREL AGING: 16 months in French oak, majority new
COMPOSITION: 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec
APPELLATIONS: Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Knights Valley
ACCLAIM
98 Points
"The wine grew incrementally as it sat in the glass. A dense purple color was followed by aromas of loamy soil, charcoal, asphalt, Verona chocolate, freshly brewed espresso and abundant blackberry and cassis fruit. This deep, rich beauty is still young and primary, but is loaded with potential. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035."
Robert Parker, Jr.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate, June 2011
2004 La Joie
TASTING NOTES
The 2004 La Joie reveals a brilliant core of ruby-black color, surrounded by a very thin ruby-garnet meniscus, belying its age. Complex aromatics rise from the glass, showing dried blackberry, and dried black currant, with savory non-fruits of freshly shaved graphite, new Spanish cedar, freshly tanned leather, black tea leaf, fresh bay leaf, and dried forest floor. On the palate, the fruit flavors are immediately present, but the non-fruits bloom immediately afterward, bringing fine balance to the wine. The structure is very firm, with robust tannins and invigorating acidity, driving to a finish marked by ample fruit, refreshing herbal elements, and crushed granite minerality.
Tasting Date: September 2024
WINE INFORMATION
BARREL AGING: 16 months in French oak, majority new
COMPOSITION: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
APPELLATIONS: Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Knights Valley
ACCLAIM
99 Points
"Full-bodied, powerful and concentrated, it is richer than either the 2003 and 2001, and comes closer to the 2002's personality. Sweet notes of caramels, espresso roast, forest floor, camphor, plums, chocolate and blackberries emerge from this full-bodied, unctuously textured, chewy, fleshy 2004. It requires another 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for three decades or more."
Robert Parker, Jr.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate, June 2011
2004 Le Désir
TASTING NOTES
The 2004 Le Désir shows a saturated, dark ruby core of color, with a very thin rim of garnet. The nose is very expressive, with exuberant red and black fruits, fresh botanical aromatics, and earth-driven non-fruit aromas. Dried raspberry and dried red currant are joined by fresh evergreen, freshly split wood, wild rosemary, and green olive. The palate shows a complexity of red and black candied fruit, with satisfyingly bright herbal notes and hot stone minerality, framed by persistent tannins and elevated acidity. The balance of these elements is outstanding, driving to a very long finish.
Tasting Date: September 2024
WINE INFORMATION
BARREL AGING: 16 months in French oak, majority new
COMPOSITION: 49% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
APPELLATIONS: Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Knights Valley
ACCLAIM
98 Points
"The first truly profound Le Désir... exhibits the deepest, most concentrated and multidimensional personality of the first five vintages of this cuvee. A dense plum/purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, forest floor, unsmoked cigar tobacco, licorice and fruitcake. Full-bodied, layered and opulent, the 2004 can be drunk now or cellared for two more decades."
Robert Parker, Jr.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate, June 2011
For personal assistance, please call (707) 431-3930 or email info@veritewines.com
