97 points James Suckling- I love the depth and the mineral quality of this. Dark cherries, black licorice, iodine, graphite, oyster shells and hot stones. Quite vertical yet broad, with super fine but present tannins. Long, seductive yet quite focused, too. A stunner from L’Aventure. 45% grenache, 30% syrah and 25% mourvedre. Drink or hold. (2022)
95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck - The 2020 Cote a Cotes checks in as 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 22% Mourvèdre, with the balance Graciano and Viognier, that was brought up in equal parts barrel, concrete, and amphora. It’s a full-bodied, ripe, sexy wine offering fabulous dark fruits as well as subtle violet and orange blossom aromatics. The balance is spot on, it has terrific purity, and it’s another brilliant wine in the making. (2021)
94 Points Decanter - 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 25% Mourvèdre. Floral and lifted on the nose, dark chocolate, violets and rose petals with sweet strawberries and pomegranates. This has a sticky side, balsamic touches but with herbal edges too. Thrilling with a lovely texture, you get the grip and pull from the fine but tense tannins, this has a purity an energy to it with excellent acidity. I like the direction and the push from start to finish. You get the California heat and the stewed strawberry fruit but there is also an elegance and energy to this where it doesn't feel overworked and still has freshness and a juicy appeal. Ageing 14 months in French oak (33% new, 36% one year old, 17% concrete and 15% amphora). Drinking Window: 2025-2040. (Aug 2022)"
L'Aventure liegt auf der Westseite von Paso Robles im Willow Creek District. Das 127 Hektar große Grundstück mit 57 Hektar bepflanzter Fläche besteht aus mehreren Hügeln unterschiedlicher Höhe und komplexen Böden. Aufgrund der Nähe zum Meer hat der Weinberg klare, warme Tage und drastisch kühle Nachttemperaturen, was den Reifezyklus der Traube verlängert und Früchte liefert, die einen komplexeren und ausgewogener Wein ergeben. Stephans Wahl dieses mageren Terroirs liefert ihm die nötige Frucht, um Weine mit einer guten Balance zwischen Alkohol und Säure herzustellen. Die resultierenden Weine sind voll und reichhaltig, aber dennoch ausgewogen und elegant.
