Vérité | FINE+RARE

About the producer

Before heading out to California, Pierre Seillan had worked in vineyards all over France, spending two decades in Bordeaux. Attuned to the tried-and-tested methods of Medoc winemaking, Pierre is someone who knows the Bordeaux terroir like the back of his hand.

At one point in his career, he was making wines in eight separate appellations of the region. Working the different terroirs of Bordeaux, it was here that he started to build on his micro-cru terroir philosophy. In the mid-1990s, Pierre Seillan made his first visit to California.

On discovering the variety of soils and terroirs in Sonoma, Seillan instantly knew that he had much more to play with in terms of both typography, micro-climates and the intricate variety of soil profiles than was ever possible in Bordeaux. The variety of terroir in Sonoma was enough for him to move out there and embark on the Vérité project; a partnership with Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson from Jackson Family Wines. The first Vérité vintage was in 1998. In the relatively short time since, Vérité wines have received some of the highest praise of any wine produced in America - already receiving seven separate perfect 100 point scores from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

In the vineyard

The 20 year partnership between Jess Jackson, Barbara Banke and Pierre Seillon has seen them become ambassadors of the region. Seillan’s micro-cru philosophy saw him plant 36 different Merlot blocks throughout Sonoma in 1999, these days he takes 120–140 samples from three Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc) grown on different soils throughout Sonoma. The final cuvee of La Muse (a Merlot-dominant blend) in flavour and structure profile is just not possible in St Emilion.

According to Seillan, the huge potential he recognised in the terroir of Sonoma was about more than just the variety of soil profiles. It was important how the topsoil and roots affected the flavours and structure of the grapes that grow there. Exploring the vineyards, the first thing Seillan did was pick and smell the grass growing in the top soil and the fallen leaves from the nearby trees. This told him everything he needed to know about the potential of the vineyard site. From smelling the grass, he could gauge the intensity level of the topsoil which would reflect the flavour intensity produced by the grapes. From smelling the fallen leaves from nearby trees, he understood the intensity that could be found in the roots of potential vines planted in the same soil. This intensity would reflect the structure profile of the wines produced. So different were his findings, in comparison to analysis of the grasses and leaves grown in Bordeaux, that he realised his winemaking must be modified to match the intensity of Sonoma fruit and the more silky, elegant tannins they produce.

While the three styles of Vérité are based on the Left and Right Bank blends of Bordeaux, Seillan insists they are no copies. The variety of terroir in Sonoma allows for much more varietal expression. Also the Pacific Ocean has a huge effect, regulating the temperature every day and providing a strong breeze in the vineyards – something not replicated in Bordeaux. Equally, the steep slopes in Sonoma (some at a 35% gradient) are very different to the relatively flat landscape of Bordeaux. The result is detailed, elegant and profound wines, marked much more by the distinct terroir of Sonoma.

In the winery

For Seillan, it was clear that a Sonoma red wine made from the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc could not simply copy the extraction and maceration techniques carried out in Bordeaux. The wines' tannin profiles were not structured or astringent enough to cope with the extended levels of maceration commonly adopted in Bordeaux. It was clear that the danger was too much alcohol and too much over-extraction and this had to be avoided at all costs. Equally, the flavour intensity in Sonoma required a shorter maceration to extract the flavours. He states: “the spice has to dance on the minerality, not on the tannins, it is important that complexities of the soil shine through rather than pushing the extraction of the tannins” - which serves only to mask the terroir.

About the producer

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2017 Verite Mixed Case (1xLa Joie/1xLa Muse/1xLe Desir)

Verite

California

£960.00

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£960.00

3x75cl

£960.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

2016 Verite Mixed Case (1xLa Joie/1xLa Muse/1xLe Desir)

Verite

California

£990.00

3x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£990.00

3x75cl

£990.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2016 La Muse

Verite

California

£4,777.00

6xMags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£4,777.00

6xMags

£4,777.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2015 Le Desir

Verite

California

£461.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£461.00

Mags

£461.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£2,763.00

6xMags

£2,763.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

2015 La Joie

Verite

California

£523.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£523.00

Mags

£523.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£786.00

3x75cl

£786.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,070.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£3,133.00

6xMags

£3,133.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

3x3L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,210.00

3x3L

£3,210.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2015 La Muse

Verite

California

£262.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£262.00

Bts

£262.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£523.00

Mags

£523.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,070.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£3,133.00

6xMags

£3,133.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

3x3L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,210.00

3x3L

£3,210.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2014 La Joie

Verite

California

97.0

£212.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£212.00

Bts

£212.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

Mags

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£421.00

Mags

£421.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£1,261.00

6x75cl

£1,261.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2014 Le Desir

Verite

California

97.5

£203.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£203.00

Bts

£203.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

Mags

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£403.00

Mags

£403.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£1,210.00

6x75cl

£1,210.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

2014 La Muse

Verite

California

98.0

£460.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£460.00

Mags

£460.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,380.00

6x75cl

£1,380.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 8 Marketplace

£2,759.00

6xMags

£2,759.00

0 Immediate | 8 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 25 Marketplace

£2,759.00

12x75cl

£2,759.00

0 Immediate | 25 Marketplace

2013 La Joie

Verite

California

100.0

£1,259.00

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,259.00

6x75cl

£1,259.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 25 Marketplace

£2,519.00

12x75cl

£2,519.00

0 Immediate | 25 Marketplace

2012 La Muse

Verite

California

97.0

£415.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£415.00

Mags

£415.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,242.00

6x75cl

£1,242.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2012 La Joie

Verite

California

100.0

£914.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£914.00

Mags

£914.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£2,740.00

6x75cl

£2,740.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,122.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2011 La Joie

Verite

California

£370.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£370.00

Mags

£370.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2011 Le Desir

Verite

California

£370.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£370.00

Mags

£370.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2010 La Muse

Verite

California

94.0

£933.00

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£933.00

3x75cl

£933.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2010 La Joie

Verite

California

92.0

£449.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£449.00

Mags

£449.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£672.00

3x75cl

£672.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2010 Le Desir

Verite

California

93.0

£449.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£449.00

Mags

£449.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£672.00

3x75cl

£672.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2008 La Joie

Verite

California

99.0

£3,460.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£3,460.00

12x75cl

£3,460.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2008 Le Desir

Verite

California

100.0

£253.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£253.00

Bts

£253.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£1,513.00

6x75cl

£1,513.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£3,028.00

12x75cl

£3,028.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2007 La Muse

Verite

California

100.0

£310.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£310.00

Bts

£310.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

2007 La Joie

Verite

California

100.0

£292.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£292.00

Bts

£292.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2007 Le Desir

Verite

California

100.0

£287.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£287.00

Bts

£287.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

2006 La Muse

Verite

California

92.5

£273.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£273.00

Bts

£273.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£545.00

Mags

£545.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£3,269.00

12x75cl

£3,269.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2006 La Joie

Verite

California

94.0

£273.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£273.00

Bts

£273.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£545.00

Mags

£545.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£3,269.00

12x75cl

£3,269.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2006 Le Desir

Verite

California

92.0

£545.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£545.00

Mags

£545.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£3,269.00

12x75cl

£3,269.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

2005 Verite Mixed Case (2xLa Joie/2xLa Muse/2xLe Desir)

Verite

California

£1,918.00

6x75cl

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£1,918.00

6x75cl

£1,918.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2005 La Muse

Verite

California

98.0

£298.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£298.00

Bts

£298.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2005 La Joie

Verite

California

100.0

£398.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£398.00

Bts

£398.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2004 La Muse

Verite

California

98.0

£315.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£315.00

Bts

£315.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

2004 La Joie

Verite

California

99.0

£358.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£358.00

Bts

£358.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£716.00

Mags

£716.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2003 Le Desir

Verite

California

£623.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£623.00

Mags

£623.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2003 La Joie

Verite

California

95.0

£195.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£195.00

Bts

£195.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2001 La Joie

Verite

California

£203.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£203.00

Bts

£203.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2000 Le Desir

Verite

California

90.0

£187.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£187.00

Bts

£187.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

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