L'Aventure Winery - Paso Robles

Jeb Dunnuck im September 2020:

Pure perfection from Paso Robles, the 2019 Estate Cuvee checks in as 50% Syrah, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot that was raised in 81% new French oak. Incredible cassis and black berry fruits as well as violets, chocolate, graphite, and who knows what else emerges from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet weightless mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s more seamless and approachable than the more backward, structured 2018 and will have two decades of prime drinking.

Stephan Asseo, who’s assisted more and more by assistant winemaker Patrick Davies, continues to keep his L’Aventure estate near the top of the pyramid in Paso Robles. This report looks at the 2019s and 2020s, and both appear to be beautiful vintages. The 2019s are some of the finest wines I’ve tasted at this estate and have a rare mix of power and vibrancy, with incredible aromatics and sensational purity and precision on the palate.

 

James Suckling im August 2021

The pure currant and blackberry aromas are so bright and vivid. Very aromatic. Lots of pure fruit. It’s full-bodied with tension and focus, because the tannins are fine-grained and give form and energy to the wine. They are very long already. I think three or four years will really bring this red into its own. Blend of syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Try after 2024, but hard to not drink now.


100% estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard
90% new French oak and 10% 1-year-old French oak. with malolactic fermentation in barrel
Length of aging: 15 months
No fining. no filtering
 

Erin Brooks im Februar 2020:

A barrel sample blended of 53% Syrah. 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Optimus is deep ruby-purple in color and scented of crème de cassis, baked blackberries, chocolate mint, wet clay. crushed blueberries and faint notions of lilac with an undercurrent of exotic spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied with lovely layering of spiced black and blue fruits, a detailed, finely pixelated frame and great freshness, finishing with loads of ripe fruit. I can’t wait to taste this from bottle!

 

"The 2018 Optimus marks the 20th vintage of our signature “crazy” blend. Back in 1998, when we started this journey in Paso Robles. Stephan had a vision or in his own words a “fantasy” of the blend he wanted to make. The blend was inspired in part from drinking Syrah/Cabernet blends and in other part from realizing that Petit Verdot was unbelievable in California and always ripe due to the optimal weather conditions. In 1998, with a half-built winery, purchased fruit from Paso Robles, and an idea in mind, the first vintage Optimus was made. This special blend is the reason why Stephan wanted to leave France and move somewhere where he had the freedom to make any type of blends. Today. the Optimus serves as the introduction to our lineup. Approachable and pleasurable, the Optimus makes you want to know more…

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of this spectacular wine, we have created a special anniversary label. The 2018 Optimus features a reverse label. with a navy background and our L’Aventure logo embossed in a silver/gold foil. We will be using the same label throughout the years as our other wines reach their 20th anniversary."

100% estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard

Very low yield: 2.5 tons per acre
60% new French oak and 40% 1-year-old with malolactic fermentation
Length of aging: 14 months
No fining. no filtering
2200 cases produced
 

James Suckling 23.August 2021:

Extremely aromatic with ripe cherry and berry aromas, as well as flowers and citrus. Medium to full body with fine, polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is really well done and one of the most balanced L’Aventures I have encountered. Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.

 

Ausgabe 12/21 verkostet von Guiseppe Lauria:

Der Optimus von L‘Aventure besteht aus 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon und 12% Petit Verdot mit 14,5 Vol.-%. Superviskose, dunkle Farbe. Im Geruch besitzt der Optimus viel Nord Rhône-Charakter wie ein Côte-Rôtie, sehr saftig und komplex. Und auch im Mund besitzt er eine saftig-satte Struktur mit leb- haft-frischer Säure, die leicht aufgesetzt wirkt. Mit guter Würze und stumpfen Gerb- stoffen zeigt er sich sehr geschliffen und ein wenig konstruiert. Mit 90% neuen Barriques ist der Optimus noch jung.

 

The 2019 Optimus should be snatched up by savvy readers. Based on 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, it just about jumps out of the glass with gorgeous cassis, floral, pepper, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. As seamless as they come, this full-bodied, elegant, pleasure-bent 2019 is going to evolve for a decade.

Stephan Asseo, who’s assisted more and more by assistant winemaker Patrick Davies, continues to keep his L’Aventure estate near the top of the pyramid in Paso Robles. This report looks at the 2019s and 2020s, and both appear to be beautiful vintages. The 2019s are some of the finest wines I’ve tasted at this estate and have a rare mix of power and vibrancy, with incredible aromatics and sensational purity and precision on the palate.