2007 L'Aventure Roussanne Estate
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Tasting notes
(includes 15% viognier; aged in one-third new oak) Bright gold. Spicy citrus and green apple aromas are complemented by oak spices and anise. Fleshy pear and orange flavors are firmed by a bitter fruit skin quality, picking up succulent herbs on the back end. Finishes with excellent chewy persistence and an echo of orange. Pretty serious stuff: "I don't want to make an aperitif wine out of roussanne," Asseo told me.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
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The brilliant 2007 Roussanne from the estate vineyards is a gorgeous example of this varietal. Honeysuckle, lemon blossom, sealing wax, tropical fruit, and rose petal-like characteristics appear in this gorgeously proportioned, full-bodied, slightly tannic, dry white. Beautifully textured and pure, it is one of the area's finest dry whites. Enjoy it over the next several years. Transplanted Frenchman, Stephan Asseo (from St.-Emilion), has found a home as well as some great terroirs in the limestone soils of Paso Robles (all his vineyards are situated on the western side of Highway 101). Asseo continues to go from strength to strength, producing a fabulous portfolio of wines that makes L-Aventure one of the bright, shining reference points for the region. This is one of the California Central Coast superstars, and the wines are worth every cent. Tel. (805) 227-1588; Fax (805) 227-6988
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.