2020 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.

Other Reviews....
A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Estate Cuvée is another outstanding wine from L'Aventure in the challenging 2020 vintage, offering singular concentration and elegance. Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish. Drink 2023 - 2028.
99 points
Erin Brooks - Wine Advocate (Dec 2022)

A beguiling blend of dusty violets, crushed stone, musky black currants and grilled herbs makes the 2020 Estate Cuvée impossible to ignore. Racy yet supple, this soothes with its ripe red and black fruits while also exciting the palate through a core of zesty acidity. A staining of minerality lingers as the 2020 finishes with epic length and potency. Grippy tannins tug at the perimeters of the palate, leaving nuances of black licorice and clove to resonate. This radiant beauty has a very bright future. It's a blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. Drink 2026-2038.
97 points
Eric Guido - Vinous (Dec 2022)

Lastly, the 2020 Estate Cuvee is based on 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, all of which is resting in around 85% new French oak. It has a deep purple hue as well as rock star notes of blackberries, ground pepper, chocolate, and chalky minerality. I love its texture, purity, and balance, and this is certainly another beautiful, classic wine from this talented team.
96-98 points
Jeb Dunnuck

Dark chocolate, a bit animalistic, so brooding and dark. Sumptuous texture, rich and deep yet vibrant too, this is plush and opulent but there is refinement here, you can feel the sculpting of the fruit and the tannins, there is nuance and detail to the different aspects. It's still quite massy and bold, it's a big style, lots going on with plenty of power and punch but a deliciously bright and lifted understone with acidity to keep it from being too heavy. Strawberry touches, blackberries, cinnamon, pepper, toast, tobacco and cocoa, all melding together with a lingering piquancy that lasts and lasts. A classic and memorable wine. Ageing 15 months in French oak (80% new, 20% one year old). Drink: 2026 - 2048.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter

The flagship wine of the estate, and certainly it delivers the most textural experience, with its clear limestone signature of salted caramel and pummice stone minerality. A burst of freshness drags you into the heart of things, and this is totally delicous, an awesome wine that tingles right though the palate, cassis, cranberry and blueberry fruits delivered with character and confidence.
96 points
Jane Anson