2018 L'Aventure Estate Cuvee

Stephan Asseo, founder and winemaker at L’Aventure Winery, came to Paso Robles in California seeking more freedom to express his winemaking ideals than was allowed while working in Bordeaux. Falling in love with the rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, he felt the deep calcareous soils, and the maritime influence had the potential to craft some of the world’s greatest blends. So far he's been proven right, and his array of red blends has quickly resulted in wines which have earned high scores and critical acclaim. These are rich and deeply impressive wines from one of the most talented winemakers in America.
A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. Inky black glass staining colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Soaring out of the glass are heady aromatics of blackberry, liquorice and cassis followed by dark chocolate, toasty vanillin oak, earthy fennel like overtones and spice. Large scaled, voluptuous and boasting insane levels of richness, the palate also has a surprising youthful freshness underpinning the fruit. Lush blueberry, vanillin oak, spicy fennel, a subtle graphite edge and pepper elements ensue. Robustly built, muscular tannins firm up the finish and provide the decadently long aftertaste with some grip.
Cellar 6-8 years plus.
Alc. 16%

Other Reviews....
The 2018 Estate Cuvée is made up of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot aged in 90% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple, the nose takes some time to unfurl to touches of cast-iron pan, tar, turned earth, cassis and blueberry pie with floral top notes. The palate is full-bodied with lush, mineral-tinged fruits in a firm frame, lifted by surprising freshness and finishing long and perfumed. Give it another 3-5 years in bottle. Drink 2020 - 2035.
95 points
Erin Brooks - Wine Advocate (Oct 2020)

Deep, glass-staining violet. Powerful, mineral- and smoke-accented blueberry, cherry liqueur, incense and pipe tobacco aromas show outstanding definition and pick up suggestions of mocha and exotic spices with air. Offers deeply concentrated black/blue fruit, cherry-vanilla, espresso and bitter chocolate flavors; a spicy flourish emerges as the wine stretches out. Finishes smooth, energetic and extremely long, with youthful, slowly building tannins and lingering suggestions of candied flowers and smoky minerals. Drink 2025-2035.
97 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

This is a superb red with blackberry, blueberry, crushed-stone and currant character. Full-bodied, yet nervy. Hints of burnt orange and walnuts. Energy here. Framed and precise. 45% syrah, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 15% petit verdot. Give it three or four years, but already great.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com

The 2018 Estate Cuvee checks 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot brought up in 90% new French oak. Tasting like the straight Cab, yet with more sex appeal, it offers a huge nose of crème de cassis, white flowers, crushed stone, graphite, and crushed flowers. This carries to a full-bodied, gorgeously textured red with incredible balance, no hard edges, a thrilling mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It's going to benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of two decades or more. Hats off to winemaker Stephan Asseo on another incredible wine, as well as, I suspect the wine of the vintage.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck