Verite Le Desir Red Blend 2016

The 2016 Verite Le Desir is a powerful and refined Sonoma County red blend inspired by Right Bank Bordeaux. Aromas of black currant, plum, graphite, violet, and exotic spice lead into a deeply layered palate of dark berries, cocoa, espresso, and mineral tones. Full-bodied with remarkable concentration, it shows finely structured tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, elegant finish with exceptional aging potential.

Food Pairing: Pairs well with Filet mignon, lamb rack, braised short ribs, duck, and aged cheeses.

99 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Composed of 82% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 6% Malbec, the very deep purple-black colored 2016 Le Désir is a little closed to begin, opening out to reveal absolutely stunning scents of potpourri, roses and orange peel over a core of crushed blackcurrants, black cherries and dark chocolate with touches of cinnamon stick and cloves plus a waft of forest floor. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is exquisitely delicate and refined, with super ripe, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing with epic persistence.

99 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2016 Le Désir checks in as 82% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 6% Malbec. Readers looking for world-class Cabernet Franc should beg, borrow, or steal to get hold of a bottle of this. Incredible floral, violet, forest floor, lead pencil, and cassis notes all flow to a medium- to full-bodied red that’s flawlessly balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. More intellectual and elegant than the La Joie, it’s still a wine of incredible intensity and class that builds incrementally on the palate, has an exotic, singular character, and the class to evolve for 30 years or more.

96 Points - James Suckling

Aromas of dust, currants and black olives. Full body and round, chewy tannins. This is soft and round textured. Juicy and flavorful at the end. Try after 2022.

95 Points - Decanter

Muscular and controlled red cherry and raspberry leaf dominate the opening beats of this wine, with white pepper and grilled rosemary coming in through the mid palate. This is an enjoyable wine with a silky texture, round mouthfeel and a confident build up of tannins. Traces of heat are a little distracting, causing the tension to slacken a little towards the finish, but as ever this provides a beautifully nuanced Cabernet Franc counterbalance to the rest of the range.

93 Points - Wine Spectator

Intense, with dark plum, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors pumping through, scored with bittersweet cocoa, dark tobacco and loam accents on the finish. Muscular for sure, but has serious drive. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Best from 2020 through 2032.