Another remarkable wine from the complicated inaugural vintage of Vérité. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it spent 13 months in new French oak. It has a multi-layered bouquet of truffle, leather and spice along with floral scents of peony and rose. There's the telltale precision and freshness of Verité wines here, as well as a suavely-textured tannic glove that perfectly fits the core of the fruit whose finely judged density caresses the palate, showing liquorice and graphite notes on the finish.

The 1998 La Muse is the inaugural vintage of this Merlot-based cuvée from Vérité, harvested from October 6-26. Blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a medium garnet color and fully mature aromas of leather, menthol, truffle, potpourri, roasted plums, black tea and underbrush. The palate is soft and juicy, with delicate, dried red berries and layer after layer of savory accents on the finish. - Erin Brooks