2009 La Muse

Full medium ruby. Complex but brooding aromas of black cherry, blackberry, dark plum, licorice, bitter chocolate and minerals. At once sweet and tightly wound, with its black fruit and licorice flavors conveying terrific density and focus. This has the grain and balance of a top young Pomerol. Spreads out nicely on the very long, still-youthful finish, which features noble tannins and superb persistence. This remarkably structured Merlot possesses the stuffing and balance for a long and graceful evolution in bottle. In fact, I suspect it will continue to gain in breadth with more cellaring. (14.5% alcohol)

The 2009 La Muse is a rich, sumptuous wine bursting with dark plums, black, cherries, graphite, espresso, spices and licorice. It shows gorgeous balance from start to finish. Persistent veins of minerality frame the long, beautifully articulate, creamy finish. This is a deceptively accessible wine today, but there is so much underlying power and sheer structure that I will not be surprised if it shuts down in the bottle. The 2009 is 86% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.