2020 L ‘Aventure, ‘Optimus’ Red Blend, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, CA

Producer: Stephan Asseo, a Frenchman, who’s family owned 3 properties on the right bank of Bordeaux, came to Paso Robles in 1996. After 17 years of winemaking in Bordeaux, Stephan & his wife Beatrice, seeking adventure, found what they were looking for in Paso Robles, and established the winery there in 1998. With 57 acres planted to both Bordeaux & Rhone varieties, L’Aventure is best known for its ‘crazy blends’ wines that reflect the terroir, blurring the lines between Bordeaux &  Rhone blends.

Place: West side Paso Robles AVA, Willow Creek District CA, multiple hills of various elevations.

Cultivation: Sustainable

Varietal: Syrah 58%, Cabernet Sauvignon 31%, Petit Verdot 11% – all estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard.

Soil: Calcareous soils based on limestone with old marine bones & shells.

Winemaking: Aged 14 months in new French Oak & 1 year old French oak, no fining or filtering before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Black Olive – Smokey Earth – Scrubland Herbs