L’Aventure Winery Estate CuveeThe 2013 Estate Cuvee is similar to the blend of the 2004 and is 43% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignonand 15% Petite Verdot. Dense, concentrated and powerful, it offers knockout aromas and flavors ofcassis, black cherries, flowers and charcoal that flow to a full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balancedwine that will have two decade or more of longevity. While I think 2012 was a slightly more successfulvintage than 2013 for this estate, this should certainly be up there with the 2012 and it will beinteresting to follow the two vintages as they evolve. This was another incredible lineup by winemakerStephan Asseo, and both his 2012s and 2013s are at the top of the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, thisvintage reminds Stephan of 2004, and the wines show incredible purity, as well as blockbuster levels ofdepth and richness. The tannin quality here is also off the charts, and this is what puts his 2012s anotch above the 2013s. For the reds, we started the tasting with 2013s from barrel. At the moment, the2013s have more obvious tannin structure, yet they don’t lack for fruit or texture either. It will beinteresting to see how these continue to develop in barrel. Either way, both of these vintages deserve aplace in your cellar and it will be thrilling stuff to follow these wines over the coming decade or longer.
