Verite - Le Desir 2019

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2019 Le Désir is an exceptional blend of 83% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, offering complex, layered flavors, soaring aromatics and very detailed expression. Deep ruby-purple in color, its aromas unfold slowly and offer new nuances with each return to the glass: Morello cherries, warm chocolate, dried thyme, desiccated roses and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate offers concentrated, floral fruits, pixelated tannins, bursts of fresh acidity and a very long finish with layer after layer of detailed flavor."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Sublime cabernet franc aromas of currants, flowers and citrus. Full-bodied with incredible purity of fruit and length. You don’t feel the tannins, but they are there. The acidity gives you dynamic reality and perfect length. A truly great wine. 83% cabernet franc, 8% merlot, 5% malbec, and 4% cabernet sauvignon. Best from 2026."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2019 Le Desir is based on Cabernet Franc, with the remainder 8% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is complex and layered, with hints of saddle leather, pencil shavings, tangy red cherry, and blackcurrant. The palate is full and elegantly structured, with mocha, red plum, and turned soil. This is an incredible wine with lots of underlying tension that will be a pleasure to revisit if afforded the opportunity. Drink over the next 20 or more years."

DECANTER: "Such a beautiful fragrance to the nose, you can really tell the three wines apart and identity the aromatic Cabernet Franc on this one. Chewy and ripe fruit on the palate, this has grip and flesh from the start but also a nice liquorice spiced aspect which combines well with the pink rose, cherry, blackcurrant and cinnamon aspects. Tannins are fine and powdery, just a touch dry and chalky but this has nice detail and vibrant acidity. 4% Cabernet Sauvignon completes the blend. Ageing 16 months in French oak (95% new)."