98 PointsLisa Perrotti-BrownThe Wine IndependentAugust 2024

Vintage

The 2021 Sonoma County growing season was preceded by a very chilly winter with below average rainfall, marking a second straight year of drought in Northern California. To ensure balance between the vines and available soil nutrients in the coming vintage, our vineyard teams carefully pruned each vine throughout the cold winter months, reducing the number of clusters each would be asked to ripen. Cool temperatures persisted into early spring, pushing Budbreak a bit later than average, but by early May the weather warmed up beautifully, delivering a fine start to the growing season. The summer months brought sunny, warm weather with characteristically cool nighttime temperatures, and only a few minor heat spikes.

Notes

2021 La Muse radiates a luminous ruby-violet core, ringed by a thin violet meniscus. Possessing both vibrance and suppleness, the nose reveals bright aromatics of crunchy blackberry and cranberry, contrasted by rich caff macchiato, English toffee, toasted vanilla, and warm baking spices from elevage in French oak. The dichotomy evolves further on the palate, where the fruit takes on a palpable richness, countered by brisk tannins and focused acidity. The finish is satisfyingly long, marked by ample fruit, mouth-watering acidity, and crushed stone minerality. Reminiscent of other highly structured vintages in their infancy, 2021 La Muse will age for many decades.

Composition

90% Merlot
6% Malbec
4% Cabernet Franc