A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the debut vintage of La Muse is composed of fruit from Sonoma (62%) and Napa (38%) vineyards. It appears to have reached full maturity, but it possesses the density and richness to last another 10-15 years. From a challenging vintage, it reveals a dark plum/garnet color along with a full-bodied nose of coffee, fruitcake, underbrush, forest floor, mocha and chocolate. This outstanding effort is one of the top 1998s from northern California.

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.

This shows quite a mature nose, open-knit, perhaps a little diffuse with kirsch and soy but with some volatility creeping in. The palate is better, quite supple though not as harmonious as later vintages. Attenuated on the sweet cherry, figgy finish. Not bad at all. Tasted September 2005.