Verite La Joie Red is made from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc,5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec.
The 2018 La Joie displays a brilliant violet core with a thin rim of bright ruby. Generous fruit-for- ward aromas of ripe black currant and black cherry are followed by earthy notes of fresh conifer, dried mushroom, black olive, dusty clay, anise and clove. The palate is rich and structured; possessing similar flavors of the nose, refined tannins, well-balanced acidity and a complex, luscious finish.
Review:
Blackberries, black mushrooms, violets, flowers, and dark tobacco. Black truffle, too. Full-bodied, yet in check and pretty. The fine tannins frame the wine perfectly. Really long and focused. Seamless. Elegance with power. This will age incredibly well, but already so gorgeous to try. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 3% malbec. Try after 2026, but attractive now.
-James Suckling 99 Points
O'Shaughnessy Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% St. Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère.
Blended from our three Estate vineyards in arguably the three best appellations within the Napa Valley: Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Howell Mountain gives us structure and ripe red fruit, while Mt. Veeder adds an extra punch of tannins along with savory mineral driven qualities, Oakville balances out the mountains with its silky texture and pure fruit. This Cabernet is deep ruby red with an opaque center. Bold aromas of aged leather, black currant, and rum raisin, creating a layered and complex bouquet. A luxuriously sweet and rich entry, unfolding with ripe blackberry and velvety cocoa powder. The texture is smooth yet structured, balanced by moderate tannins and a medium level of acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish.
Review:
Based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% St. Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère and aged two years in French oak (60% new, 40% second year), the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackcurrants, scorched earth, iron, sappy herbs, and tobacco. It's rich and medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and has a layered, textured mouthfeel, ripe underlying tannins, and outstanding length. I slightly prefer the overall structure and balance here to the Mt. Veeder bottling, but both are successful 2022s with 10-12 years of longevity.
-Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points