Esteemed Artisans,
In 1996, Stephan Asseo, proprietor of Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau Robin, reached his limit with the restrictive AOC laws prevailing in Bordeaux.
He ventured to Napa Valley, where he sought guidance from renowned estates like Dominus and Opus One. They, in turn, directed his attention to the enchanting Willow Creek District in Paso Robles. The rest, as they say, is history made of pure delight.
Fast forward to the previous weekend: I embarked on a journey to L'Aventure Winery, securing for you their two phenomenal flagship wines that garnered a perfect 100-point score (an exceptional accomplishment we sold out of more than two years ago)...
...and their elusive 2022 Rosé, a truly exceptional gem previously unavailable outside the confines of the winery.
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The 3x L'Aventure allocated wines offered today: |
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Ratings: JD 100, VM 97, JS 97, WA 96+
12 bottles left
$119.97 btl
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Ratings: WA 95, JS 94, VM 94, DM 93
36 bottles left
$64.97 btl / $59.97 btl (6+)
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12 bottles left
Has Never Been Offered Retail
$39.97 btl
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The wonderful folks at L'Aventure were kind enough to provide us with more of their coveted and extremely limited-production wines (less than 2,000 cases) during my visit. I just brought them back for you all to enjoy.
Back in 2021, even before the 100-point ratings, we were allocated only 18 bottles of the Estate Cuvee, and none of the Cote a Cote.
This is the finest vintage we've tasted to date, and it's clearly obvious nothing is stopping their progress. In fact: I tasted the 2012, 2014, and 2016 Estate Cuvee—all bottles had been open for TWO DAYS, no gas—and there was NO sign of oxidation. All proved how effortless these wines will age, and I'd bet my reputation they'll easily challenge the best of Napa and Sonoma if tasted together.
Congrats to Stephan Asseo for carrying Paso onto the world stage of fine wines. His mentorship helped bring us labels such as Booker Vineyards.
Note about the "Optimus" Estate: an absolute steal for an exotic, yet seriously fine red that combines the absolute best qualities that you love in Bordeaux, Rhone and Napa Valley... and remains uniquely their version of Paso. The idea for this wine happened 20 years ago when Stephan was drinking a bottle of Domaine de Trevallon (an elite and rare Cult French Syrah/Cab blend) with his good friend and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland (considered one of the greatest winemakers in the world with his resume containing Ornellaia, Harlan, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family, Angelus, Pavie, Pontet-Canet, Ausone and plenty more...) and they agreed that they would be able to make something spectacular together.
Though the wines are becoming harder to collect, they're still absolutely worth all the effort when you can find them. That's why I drove these bottles back myself. Don't miss out on real American Cult Wine without the exorbitant prices.
All my best,
—James Tran
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2019 L'Aventure Estate Estate Cuvée
Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"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."
97 Points - Vinous:
"Opaque ruby. A highly complex, expansive bouquet evokes smoke-accented black and blue fruits, oak spices, incense, mocha and potpourri. Sappy, sharply delineated cassis, blueberry and cherry preserve flavors show energetic mineral lift and betray no rough edges. In an ample but lively style, finishing smoky and wonderfully long, with a resonating cherry note and chewy tannins that sneak in late." - Josh Raynolds (Jul 2022)
97 Points - James Suckling:
"Blackcurrants, crushed stone and lavender with some rosemary. Full-bodied, yet it spirals deep and true on the palate, with creamy tannins and a dark, brooding finish. Provocative on the palate. Asphalt and spice notes. 50% syrah, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 15% petit verdot. Drinkable now or try after 2025, but you should really give this at least another five years in the bottle." (3/31/22)
96+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 Estate Cuvée, a blend of 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, has a deep ruby-purple color and fragrant aromas of cassis, licorice, dried roses, leather and youthful new oak spice. The full-bodied palate is silky and uplifted, with fine, savory accents and a very long, mineral-driven finish. It deserves another 3-5 years in bottle and will be long lived in the cellar." -Erin Brooks (3/15/22)
12 bottles left
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2020 L'Aventure Estate "Optimus"
Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"A blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Optimus has a deep ruby color and a deep core of red and black cherries, chargrill, thyme, charcuterie and desiccated violet. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with juicy acidity and approachable grainy tannins, and it has a long, layered finish." - Erin Brooks (December, 2022)
94 Points - James Suckling:
"Grilled meat, bacon fat, tobacco and olives to the nose that follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with rich, creamy tannins. 58% syrah, 31% cabernet sauvignon, 11% petit verdot. Drink now or hold." (October, 2022)
94 Points - Vinous:
"The darkly floral 2020 Optimus impresses with a spicy blend of crushed black raspberries, dusty florals and olive tapenade. This is texturally thrilling and creamy in feel. Zesty acidity adds impressive energy, with depths of dark red fruits and savory spice that swirl throughout. It finishes incredibly long, communicating power and a classic tannic structure that frames the experience without slowing its momentum." - Eric Guido (May 2023)
93 Points - Decanter:
"Tobacco, tar, dark chocolate, floral touches, bitter blood orange, scrubland herbs - so much going on the nose, really aromatic and expressive in a dark, sticky way. Gorgeously lifted and lively, full of bright and crunchy red fruits that you're just not expecting after the nose, this is direct but it has a pristine quality to it. Tannis are fine and the whole taste is just so clean. Juicy, mouthwatering and joyful, really bright and playful, I love the whole lifted tone, almost verging on tangy and sour but just keeps the depth. You get a bit of saltiness too on the finish. I like this a lot, especially the touch of metallic, iron-filing, blood on the finish. Characterful. The first vintage to use an optical sorted at harvest. Ageing 14 months in French oak (65% new and 35% in one year old)."
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36 bottles left
Online Average: $67.00 btl
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Our Prices:
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$64.97 btl (1-5)
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$54.97 btl (6+)
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2022 L'Aventure Estate Estate Rosé
Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
The 2022 Estate Rosé is a blend made up of 70% Syrah, 19% Grenache, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, entirely estate-grown fruit from L'Aventure Vineyard.
James Tran:
An array of intensely perfumed red berry and citrus fruit wafts from the glass. Flavors of cherry, honeysuckle, nectarine and fennel flood the mouth. Juicy and seamless in texture, giving deep pit fruit and raspberry flavors and a creamy touch of orange. Echoes the floral notes on a wonderfully long, supple finish that leaves a hint of honey behind.
12 bottles left
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How may we assist you?
Text us @ 650-880-3553
Call us @ 650-917-8080
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