2018 L'Aventure Optimus
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Tasting notes
Saturated ruby. Sharply focused aromas of cherry and dark berries, exotic spices, vanilla and incense; a smoky mineral top-note builds in the glass. Sappy, sweet and energetic on the palate, showing strong lift and powerful thrust to the spice-tinged cassis, cherry and floral pastille flavors. At once rich and lively, displaying fine definition on an impressively long, gently tannic finish that leaves a suave floral note behind.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot aged in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Optimus is the 20th edition of the cuvée and contains a touch less Petit Verdot than usual. It has a deep ruby-purple color and opens perfumed with crushed red and black cherries, dried violet, salumi and bay leaves with bright touches of blood orange peel. The medium to full-bodied palate is layered and surprisingly light on its feet, with a finely defined tannic grain and good freshness, finishing long. 2,200 cases produced.
56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. The 20th vintage of this blend from the estate. Deep ruby. Meat, olive tapenade and cassis on the nose – very much a New World ripeness. Blueberry jam on the palate, which is soft and warming in alcohol. Heady. Too much for my taste. Yielding tannins. (TP)
A normal blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, and 10% Syrah, the 2018 Optimus reveals a deep purple color as well as beautiful notes of crème de cassis, black licorice, tobacco, chocolate, and a rocky, earthy minerality. It's rich and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful purity and silky tannins. This is a terrific introduction into the wines of l'Aventure and will drink well for over a decade.
About the producer
L’Aventure is one of the leading wine estates in Paso Robles, California. It was founded by Stephan Asseo and his wife Beatrice who left their native France in 1997 in search of a place to make wine without the restrictions of France’s appellation system.