La Muse
2016
Vintage
The 2016 growing season proved, once again, the importance of pruning. By adapting our pruning techniques to each micro-cru, after several years of drought, we worked in concert with Mother Nature to produce grapes that would result in elegant, age-worthy wines in the signature style of La Muse.
While we experienced some heat spikes in July, the temperatures during the summer growing season were moderate with some cooler days in late August. This provided the ideal conditions for slower ripening, resulting in less sugar accumulation and producing good acidity in the grapes.
Notes
Fragrant aromas of black plums, redcurrants, and dried citrus peel mingle with notes of leather, crème brûlée, and hints of vanilla bean. The flavors on the palate unveil layers of black fruit, toasted cedar, and cassis along with hints of melted dark chocolate, wild thyme, browned butter, and cinnamon. Marked by powdery yet firm tannins and bright acidity, the wine carries its structure with effortless grace. A stony minerality is revealed throughout the elegant, lengthy finish—a signature character of La Muse. Tasting date: May 2019
Composition
93% Merlot
5% Cabernet Franc
2% Malbec
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 La Muse is composed of 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. Wow—it comes strutting out of the glass with flamboyant crème de cassis, ripe plums and black cherries notes followed by nuances of aniseed, chocolate box, wild thyme, violets and chargrill plus a fragrant suggestion of potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, the densely packed perfumed black fruit layers are beautifully framed by perfectly ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastically knit freshness. It finishes long with the most incredible display of mineral sparks.
This is a fabulous, merlot-based red with blackberries, blueberries and rust. Ink, too. Medium to full body, round tannins and a juicy finish. 93 per cent merlot with the rest in cabernet franc and malbec. Drink after 2021.