La Joie
2023
Vintage
The months following completion of the 2022 harvest saw cool weather with the return of abundant rainfall, breaking the ongoing drought, and reinvigorating the energy in our vineyard soils. This cold, wet weather persisted deep into the spring of 2023, delaying budbreak and flowering, though by mid-May the rains subsided, and gentle, warm weather set in. Although the season was several weeks later than average, the growing conditions throughout summer and fall were ideal, allowing slow phenolic maturation of the fruit, with gentle accumulation of sugars. Harvest lasted over a month, beginning with Block 601 Merlot on September 25, and concluding when our last micro-cru was brought in, on October 31. The wines of Vérité from this long, cool vintage are endowed with the freshness, balance, and structure to age for a very, very long time.
Notes
2023 La Joie shows a dense black core, surrounded by a slender ruby-violet rim. The nose is vivid and youthful, layering aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, and cranberry, with subtle oak-derived notes of toasted clove, and cinnamon. Understated nuances of pen ink and forest floor bring additional layers of intricacy, adding depth and grounding. The palate is both rich and racy, expressing this wine’s complex aromatic profile with precision, while adding notes of warm vanilla, and crushed rock minerality. The finish is very long and fine, defined by firm tannins, elevated acidity, and persistent minerality.
— Tasting Date: January 2026
Composition
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
