96 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, October 2011

This seems so Pauillac in structure with the firm tannins and minerals and intensity. Full-bodied, with gorgeous fruit and currants and minerals. Light toasted oak. Intense and powerful. This is a wine this is so muscular. Fabulous. Best in five years.

96 points,

Rhone Report, The, December 2011

The 2009 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée, a blend of 42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 16% Petit Verdot that was aged all in 100% new French oak, is a slightly richer and darker wine than the Côte-à-Côte, with earthy blackberry, violets, chocolate, peppered beef, and assorted floral nuances all emerge from the glass. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, yet with a seamless, elegant texture and fantastic length, this thrilling wine is drinkable now, yet deserves 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink age effortlessly for 12-15 or more years. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2011

The 2009 Estate Cuvee is a dark, seamless red. Layers of black fruit, roasted coffee beans and licorice wrap around the palate in this textured, explosive wine. The Estate Cuvee possesses dazzling aromatics and plenty of nuance, even if it is a touch reserved today. All of the elements build convincingly towards the substantial finish. In 2009 the blend is 42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. 94+

92 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, November 2011

(42% each of syrah and cabernet sauvignon, plus 16% petit verdot): Glass-staining purple. Powerful, pungent cassis, blueberry and incense aromas, along with a sexy note of Asian spices. Huge, deeply concentrated dark fruit preserve flavors show superb intensity and zero rough edges. Spicy notes build on the strikingly powerful, sweet finish, which features notes of candied rose and star anise. By all means let this age for at least another five years. 92+

About Winery

Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L'Aventure Winery, began making wine in 1982, following his education at L'Ecole Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France. In that same year, Stephan established Domaine Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, and Chateau Robin, in the Cotes de Castillion, Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship, and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron. However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow. In 1996, this led him on a quest for a great terroir, where he could pursue his ideal as a winemaker. After searching for over a year among the world's great wine fields, Stephan found Paso Robles. Stephan immediately "fell in love" with the unique terrior of west side Paso Robles. The rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, the deep calcareous soils, and the maritime influence of the renowned Templeton Gap all combine to produce a world class wine country, with the potential to craft some of the world's greatest blends.

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