Binny's Presents Lia Gilles & Verite

Binny's played host to Lia Gilles, Verite Brand Ambassador, (with apologies to Ms. Gilles if I do not have the correct title) and the local sales rep, to roll out the 2012s which had just received high praise from a major critic (formerly a major critic? His influence is certainly waning, but I guess that's a discussion for another time). Considering that I have never tasted these wines before, have a 2001 in the cellar, and the lofty scores for the '12s, I was excited for the opportunity to try them and jumped at the chance when the invitation was extended to us.

• NV Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Apple with caramel, pear and almond undertones. Medium bed. Flavors Orchard fruit, cashew and honeyed fruit flavors. Excellent.

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These had been opened and decanted at 2pm in preparation for the tasting. We began tasting these around 7pm.

• 2010 Vérité La Muse 80 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Crimson color. Aromas of plum, cedar and raisin along with a subtle reduced quality that I find distracting. Full-bodied with ripe plum and reduced qualities here as well, with hints of spice underneath. This is quite thin and even hollow on the attack and midpalate, with an astringent finish. By the end of the tasting this developed an obvious tomato paste character. My score for this wine continued to drop throughout the evening as I came back again and again.

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• 2010 Vérité La Joie 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Notes of violets, currants, black cherry and plum with a subtle reduced note underneath. Medium tannins with flavors of lavender, plum, charred oak, cherry and spice. The tannins have a sweet edge and there's a nice mix of red and dark fruit as it opens. This feels a bit thin through the midpalate at the moment but I get the sense that this will flesh out with a few more years in the cellar; gains strength again on the finish. Assuming the reduced note fades and the midpalate fleshes out, this will add a few points at peak. 89 now with some upside potential if it rounds into form. Hold to 2018+.

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• 2010 Vérité Le Désir 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Opens with aromas of plum, toasted vanilla bean, smoky charred oak and ripe black currant fruit. Were I tasting blind I would not pick this out as Franc as it lacks any of the wonderful herbal/green Franc qualities that I adore. This is thin on the attack and midpalate and the tannins clamp down hard, giving the wine an astringency in the finish. Ripe, plummy fruit dominates the palate. Develps a perfumey floral quality in the bouquet and some red fruit begins to poke through on the palate. My score may be a bit generous here; I'm not sure I can guess where this wine is headed. I suppose I'd give it a few years and hope for better.

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• 2012 Vérité La Muse 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Opens with plum, black currants, subtle oak and herbs. Flavors of vanilla and chocolate, plum and black fruit. More supple and has more fruit than the 2010 La Muse. Firm, refined tannins. Develops notes of blue fruit and violets and the herbal quality becomes more noticeable. Blue fruit, lavender, black fruit and chocolate carry the finish. Needs time. Drink from 2020+. 92-93 pts.

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• 2012 Vérité La Joie 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Notes of stemmy dark fruit, plum, charred oak and vanilla with a strong reduced aroma. Fine, approachable tannins carry plum and currant fruit, lavender and chocolate. As it sits it shuts down, becoming more structured and tight; tannins become chewy. Half of the room voted for drinking this now- I couldn't disagree more. This needs quite a bit of time- 2025+. 90+ pts.

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• 2012 Vérité Le Désir 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Notes of plum, florals, black cherry, currants and clay with a soily/earthy undertone. Opens further in the glass to finally reveal a nice herbal quality, but also chocolate and toasted vanilla bean. Full-bodied and firm with plum, black fruit and charred oak qualities. Has a slight austerity in the finish, but I think a bit of time in the cellar with bring the fruit out a bit more. Drink from 2025+.

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I appreciated the opportunity to try these, but they just didn't do it for me. Considering the release price of almost $400, these are terrible wines from a value perspective.