Verite La Joie Sonoma County 2012 750ml

Vérité was created by Jess Jackson and Bordeaux-born winemaker Pierre Seillan to show that Sonoma's mountain vineyards could rival the great estates of Bordeaux, and La Joie is its Cabernet-led homage to the Left Bank. The 2012 earned a perfect 100 points from Wine Advocate, whose critic wrote that it "blew me away." A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, drawn mostly from Alexander Valley hillsides with Knights Valley and Chalk Hill fruit, it offers crème de cassis, incense, licorice and crushed rock with great intensity, purity and balance. The generous 2012 vintage was ideal on the North Coast. Now entering its prime, it should drink well through 2050.