2021 Le Désir, La Muse & La Joie Collection | 3 Flaschen

2021 Le Désir: 100 Punkte

Perhaps the finest cabernet franc wine made in California, this tightly wound and precise gem is a classic. While smooth and silky on the surface, it has intense flavors and tannic energy underneath, driving red and black cherries, rose petals, blueberries, graphite and espresso through a vivid palate and a long, lingering finish. Blended with 10% merlot and 3% malbec. Certainly a wine that will benefit from more aging, likely for decades. Best from 2030. - Jim Gordon (01/2025)

2021 La Joie: 99 Punkte

So well structured and layered in texture, yet it offers a fine sense of drinkability and freshness despite its muscular character. Amazing layers, finesse, detail and interest in this full-bodied, masterful Bordeaux-style blend based on cabernet sauvignon. Blended in are 14% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. - Jim Gordon (01/2025)

2021 La Muse: 99 Punkte

Elegant with some muscle behind it, this merlot-based wine is dazzling for its velvety texture and pure fruit flavors. A silky texture at first sip gives way to a firm but light grip of fine-grained tannins supporting rich red and black fruit, dark chocolate and spearmint flavors. Made from 90% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 4% malbec. Drinkable now, but best from 2030. - Jim Gordon (01/2025)

Composed of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2021 La Joie sports a deep garnet-purple color. It comes galloping out of the glass with energetic notes of fresh red and black currants, mulberries and candied violets, giving way to evocative wafts of cardamom, clove oil, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, delivering taut, muscular black fruit and very firm, finely grained tannins, plus a finely knit line of freshness, finishing long and energetic. It’s tightly wound and will require patience to allow the tertiary characters to blossom. Forget it for 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it over the following 30 years+. (12/2025)

2021 La Muse: 98 Punkte

The 2021 La Muse is a blend of 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple colored, it pops from the glass with notes of kirsch, fresh black and red plums, and wild blueberries, leading to suggestions of crushed rocks, star anise, and lilacs. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with vibrant, intense red, black, and blue fruit flavors, supported by firm, rounded tannins and bold tension, finishing long with a red berry lift. Alluring to drink now, allow it another 4-5 years in bottle for that next-level experience and then drink it over the next 20 years+. (12/2025)