Composed of 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 La Muse gives a deep garnet color and delivers pronounced, profound notes of cigar box, baked cherries, dried mulberries and crème de cassis with hints of truffles, dusty soil and Chinese five spice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is strutting a lot of exotic spice and savory layers with a chewy frame and mineral-tinged finish. 1,000 cases were made.

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)

Offering layers of fresh-turned earth, spice, dark berry, leather and anise notes, this is chunky and chewy from extracted tannins, with a bitter edge. Ends dry and grainy. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2024. 800 cases made.