L'Aventure Estate Cuvee 2016

Professional Ratings

• 99 Jeb Dunnuck
  Last of the 2016s from barrel, the 2016 Estate Cuvée is a classic blend of 52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot that’s brought up mostly in new French oak. It’s glass staining purple color is followed by a full-bodied, unctuous, seriously concentrated red that has building structure, a huge mid-palate and terrific notes of crème de cassis, pencil lead, tobacco leaf and graphite. The Cabernet really shows and this bruiser (although it stays graceful and lively) is going to require short term cellaring.
  Range: 97-99
• 99 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Estate Cuvee is all black cherries, crème de cassis and chocolate box on the nose with a Chinese five spice and potpourri undercurrent. The full-bodied palate is rich, opulent and firmly structured, with great purity and depth, finishing with lingering spice and dried herbs notes.
  Range: (97-99)+
• 96 Tasting Panel
  Vivid purple. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark fruit, exotic spices and flowers, along with suggestions of incense, vanilla, pipe tobacco and candied licorice. Stains the palate with deep-pitched dark berry liqueur, spicecake and rose pastille flavors sharpened by a late jolt of juicy acidity. Impressively concentrated but lively too, showing superb delineation on the floral-accented finish, which is framed by dusty tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's dense fruit.
• 94 James Suckling

  Aromas of asphalt, blackberry, blueberry and crushed stones. Then it turns to grilled meat. Medium-bodied with medium, creamy tannins and a juicy finish with a lovely bitter-lemon note. 52% syrah, 32% cabernet sauvignon and 16% petit verdot.