2011 L'Aventure Estate Cuvee
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Estate Cuvée is darkly brooding and understated, with a dusty blend of dried florals, scorched earth, dried black cherries and lifting nuances of mint. It is elegance personified, with weighty textures offset by a core of vibrant acidity as depths of ripe red and black fruits swirl throughout, complicated by a tinge of olive toward the close. This leaves a savory mineral component, nearly smoky in character, framed by edgy tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Blackberry jam, cassis, savory herbs, cloves, lavender and new leather are some of the notes that jump from the glass in the 2011 Estate Cuvée. The high percentage of Petit Verdot in this vintage, along with the nature of the cool growing season, gives the 2011 a sense of energy and tannic backbone to balance the opulent, full-throttle fruit. The finish is layered, nuanced and crystalline. The 100% new oak barrels are very nicely balanced.
(48% syrah, 28% cabernet sauvignon and 24% petit verdot; 100% new French oak): Saturated ruby. A sexy, highly perfumed bouquet displays dark berry preserves, lavender, incense and smoky Indian spices. Smooth, palate-staining blueberry and floral pastille flavors show outstanding depth and energy, thanks to bright acidity and a peppery spice nuance. A zesty mineral note comes up on the strikingly long finish, which features supple tannins and a hint of allspice. I also had the chance to re-visit the superb 2010 version of this bottling at a dinner Paso Robles and it is showing beautifully, with exotic dark berry and floral pastille character and tannins that are harmonizing far more quickly than I'd have imagined. Maybe I just caught the wine in an extroverted phase but I found it almost shockingly drinkable, not to mention flat-out delicious.
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.