Today we explore one of the outstanding producers of Bordeaux style wines in California. Vérité was a brand many years in the making. The idea was to capture a style of wine that would sit neck and neck with the outstanding wines of Bordeaux. Jess Jackson looked to France in starting his new brand and sought out a French winemaker to come to Sonoma and realize his dream. He found his person, Pierre Seillan, who has now has spent the past five decades making world-class wines at Verite.
Seillan’s career started at Bellevue, his family's estate in Gascony, France, where he explored wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and several white varieties. Seillan had two decades in Bordeaux crafting wine at several châteaux for Raoul and Jean Quancard.
1998 was Seillan’s first vintage of Vérité and the rest has been history. Over time they added wines to their collection as ‘La Muse’ was their right bank style wine and ‘La Joie’ which was their Cabernet Sauvignon based wine. In 2000 the winemaker then made a blend with more Cabernet Franc named ‘Le Desir.’ Over time more Cabernet Franc and Merlot was planted at their estate vineyard. I had the chance a few months back to taste through the new releases as well as the incredible 2013 wines. 2013 was a great vintage in Sonoma, one that was ripe and expresses the heat of the vintage. I was enamored by all three of the wines, two of which I scored a perfect 100 points to. The 2013 Vérité ‘La Joie’ Red Wine (OB, 100) is a scintillating blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft, beautifully textured and seamless, this is a truly refined effort that is absolutely irresistible now. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.veritewines.com/ and here are my 2013 wine reviews of Vérité..
2013 Vérité ‘La Muse’ Red Wine- The brilliant 2013 Vérité. ‘La Muse’ Red Wine is an incredible wine. The nose is beautiful evolved right now. Wet gravel, black rose, and blackberry jam nots alongside shades of chocolate covered cherry all combine aromatically. The palate shows unbelievable acidity as you would almost anticipate this being a new release. Very dense and showing massive dark fruits, this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2045- 98
2013 Vérité ‘La Joie’ Red Wine- The 2013 Vérité ‘La Joie’ Red Wine is a beautiful blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise, dark currants and black cherry compote fill the nose with shades of dried herbs mark the nose. The palate is soft and refined with scintillating texture and wonderful verve. This has no rough edges. It is quite simply a perfect wine. Drink 2023-2050- 100
2013 Vérité ‘Le Desir’ Red Wine- The 2013 ‘Le Desir’ is a stunning wine that is only starting to show its side. The palate is deep and concentrated with massive tannins that frame a deep core of roasted figs, black currant jelly, mocha and tar with creme de violets. Finishing long with refined tannins, minerals and concentrated black fruits, this really showing brilliantly now. Drink 2023-2050- 100