Wednesday, July 19th, 2023
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Dear Artisans,
In 1996 Stephan Asseo, owner of Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau Robin, had had enough of the restrictive AOC laws in Bordeaux.
He went to Napa Valley, but was advised by Dominus and Opus One to look at the Willow Creek District in Paso Robles. The rest is delicious history.
Fast forward to last weekend: I drove to L'Aventure Winery and got you their two 100-point flagships (we sold both out over TWO YEARS AGO) ...
...and their unicorn 2022 Rosé that's never been offered outside of the winery:
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The 4x L'Aventure allocated wines offered today: |
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Ratings: JD 100, VM 97, JS 97, WA 96+
24 bottles allocated
$119.97 btl
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Ratings: JD 100, WA 96, VM 96, JS 96
30 bottles allocated
$119.97 btl
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Ratings: WA 95, JS 94, VM 94, DM 93
36 bottles allocated
$64.97 btl / $59.97 btl (6+)
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12 bottles allocated
Has Never Been Offered Retail
$39.97 btl
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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)
24 bottles available
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2019 L'Aventure Estate "Cote a Cote"
Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2020 Cote a Cotes checks in as 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 22% Mourvèdre, with the balance Graciano and Viognier, that was brought up in equal parts barrel, concrete, and amphora. It’s a full-bodied, ripe, sexy wine offering fabulous dark fruits as well as subtle violet and orange blossom aromatics. The balance is spot on, it has terrific purity, and it’s another brilliant wine in the making. Range 95-97." (Sept 2021)
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 Côte a Côte is stunning this year, made up of 34% Grenache, 34% Syrah and 32% Mourvèdre. It has alluring, savory-tinged scents of blood orange, tar, aniseed and dried flowers with an undercurrent of spicy accents. The palate is ultra classy and pure, with fine, pixelated tannins, uplifting acidity and slowly opening layers of perfumed fruit that drive the very long finish. 2022-2037." - Erin Brooks (3/15/22)
96 Points - James Suckling:
"I love the depth and the mineral quality of this. Dark cherries, black licorice, iodine, graphite, oyster shells and hot stones. Quite vertical yet broad, with super fine but present tannins. Long, seductive yet quite focused, too. A stunner from L’Aventure. 45% grenache, 30% syrah and 25% mourvedre. Drink or hold." (Oct 2022)
96 Points - Vinous:
"The 2020 Cote a Cote is youthful and coy, displaying a subtle blend of dusty stone, lavender and wild blueberries. It's pure pleasure on the palate, velvety smooth yet full of energy, with crisp red and black fruits that cascade throughout. This finishes spicy, leaving a primary concentration and subtly grippy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum. The 2020 is an understated beauty that will require some cellaring to blossom fully." - Eric Guido (May 2023)
96 Points - Decanter:
"An excellent offering from the trio of L'Aventure wines being offered on the Place de Bordeaux this year. This is polished and refined, there’s power but it’s precise and well handled. The alcohol is high but it feels in proportion and not out of balance and the overall wine has a lovely weight, roundness and juicy core. A violet, perfumed edge lingers on the finish adding an extra interesting element. Leave to age for a few years before opening. A blend of 34% Grenache, 34% Syrah and 32% Mourvedre from 100% estate grown fruit. Wines are aged for 14 months, 41% in one-year-old French oak, 29% new French oak, 18% in concrete tanks and 12% in amphora. No fining, no filtering. 2023-2030." - GH (7/19/21)
30 bottles available
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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 available
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 available
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How may we assist you?
Text us @ 650-880-3553
Call us @ 650-917-8080
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