2016 L'Aventure Cuvée Inspiracion
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Tasting notes
A Priorat-inspired blend of 40% Grenache, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 27% Syrah, the 2016 Inspiracion comes all from the estate l’Aventure vineyard and was aged 14 months in 40% new French oak, with 20% of the blend brought up in amphora. It boasts a deep purple color as well as a big perfume of blue fruits, liquid violets, damp herbs, and earth, with just a hint of chocolate. Deep, rounded, and opulent on the palate, with some aggressive tannins that need a year or two of bottle age, it’s another terrific wine from Asseo that will keep for 10-15 years. Consistently thrilling wines come from l’Aventure, which is run with incredible talent and passion by St. Emilion native Stephan Asseo. His 2016s are incredible efforts, and the 2017 more Rhône blends are certainly in the same ballpark. Due to the heat spikes at harvest, Bordeaux varieties were much more difficult and hit or miss.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Deep lurid ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet displays ripe, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry, licorice pastille and incense scents, and a spicy nuance gains power with air. Stains the palate with intense red and blue fruit, spicecake and candied lavender flavors that show outstanding clarity and energetic lift. Smooth, slow-building tannins add shape and grip to the finish, which hangs on with strong, floral- and mineral-driven persistence.
A blend of 40% Grenache, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Syrah, the 2016 Inspiracíon wafts from the glass with a sun-kissed bouquet of plum preserve, cassis, fig and sweet spices, with hints of some savory bass notes to come. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, plush and juicy, with a richly extracted, flavorful mid-palate and some chewy tannins that make themselves felt on the finish.
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.