L'Aventure Estate Cuvée 2019 750ml - Paso Robles ⋅ USA
L'Aventure Estate Cuvée 2019 750ml
L'Aventure has become one of the superstars of Paso Robles wine country. Proprietor & winemaker Stephan Asseo uses a combination of time-tested techniques along with modern knowledge to create some of the best Cabernet and Syrah blends in the state! L'Aventure's soils are calcareous limestone, which is ideal for growing these premium wine grapes, as evident by its neighbors such as Saxum, Linne Calodo, and Turley.
Stephan cut his winemaking teeth in Bordeaux, but tired of his hands being tied by the French AOC laws, he searched from South Africa, to Lebanon, to Argentina, to Napa for a place that would be ideal for his needs. His search brought him to Paso Robles; a region with ample rainfall in the winter, deep calcareous soils, and maritime influences that can help to make world-class wines.
Over the last 10 years, L'Aventure's Estate Cuvee (a Cabernet-blend) has received an average score of 96 points from the Wine Advocate, and has stated that these wines "have impeccable purity and texture", and that they are "hard to resist." Most wineries would be thrilled to receive a 96-point score for just one of their vintages...but Stephan has received this, and even higher scores consistently. This year, Jeb Dunnuck (who used to write for the Wine Advocate), has given this wine the perfect 100-point score, and calls this "pure perfection".
JEB DUNNUCK 100 POINTS - "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."
"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."