2012 L'Aventure Estate Cuvee

The 2012 Chloe flirts with perfection, and could warrant a perfect score with another handful of years in the cellar. Made from 71% Syrah and 29% Grenache, it’s an incredible wine that gives up layers of spring flowers, cassis, licorice and violets that flow perfectly to a full-bodied, massive and inky wine that never seems heavy, over-the-top or cumbersome in the least. It shows more and more tannin grip with air (as well as distinct minerality), so give this a handful of years in the cellar. (JD)

Even better, yet more forward and open, the 2012 Estate Cuvee checks in as a blend of 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. It’s another awesome release form Stephan that possesses thrilling purity in its creme de cassis, licorice, toast, chocolate, and roasted meat-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and seamlessly constructed, with perfect integration of its fruit, tannin and alcohol, this beauty can be consumed anytime over the coming 15 years or so. This was another incredible lineup by winemaker Stephan Asseo, and both his 2012s and 2013s are at the top of the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, this vintage reminds Stephan of 2004, and the wines show incredible purity, as well as blockbuster levels of depth and richness. The tannin quality here is also off the charts, and this is what puts his 2012s a notch above the 2013s. For the reds, we started the tasting with 2013s from barrel. At the moment, the 2013s have more obvious tannin structure, yet they don’t lack for fruit or texture either. It will be interesting to see how these continue to develop in barrel. Either way, both of these vintages deserve a place in your cellar and it will be thrilling stuff to follow these wines over the coming decade or longer. Tel. (805) 227-1588; www.aventurewine.com

Starting off the tasting, the 2012 Cuvee Blanc (which was previously called Roussanne) is comprised of 40% Roussanne, 35% Grenache Blanc and 25% Viognier that spent 8 months in 20% new French oak. With malo blocked, it is beautifully fresh and crisp, with steely white peach, honeysuckle, lemon peel and hints of minerality all showing on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, fresh and elegant, with plenty of richness, it has great acidity and will be versatile on the table. Enjoy it over the coming year or three. Drink now-2015. I was blown away by these wines. Easily the most impressive lineup I’ve tasted from proprietor Stephan Asseo, these 2011s show the purity and focus of the vintage, yet balance it with incredible richness and texture that never seems cumbersome or heavy. The 2012s are no less rich, yet have impeccable purity and texture, as well as brilliant overall focus and structure that will allow them to evolve gracefully. Make no mistake about it though, these are all big, ripe wines; I find them utterly compelling and hard to resist. Tel. (805) 227-1588; www.aventurewine.com