L'Aventure 2006 Optimus, Paso Robles

L'Aventure is one of the hottest wineries on the up-and-coming Westside of Paso Robles wine region. A beautiful blend of Cabernet/Syrah blend, the Optimus is a big, delicious red.

Robert Parker 91 points: "The 2006 Optimus consists of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah, and 5% Petit Verdot. It reveals the exuberance of a northern Rhone, but the structure of a top Bordeaux. It is more elegant, but less understated and concentrated than the 2005. Notes of chocolate, coffee, blackberries, and tar are present in both the aromatics and attack, but then the wine closes down, displaying plenty of structure, muscle, and tannin. This 2006 clearly needs several years of bottle age to round into shape. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016...

...Transplanted Frenchman, Stephan Asseo (from St.-Emilion), has found a home as well as some great terroirs in the limestone soils of Paso Robles (all his vineyards are situated on the western side of Highway 101). Asseo continues to go from strength to strength, producing a fabulous portfolio of wines that makes L-Aventure one of the bright, shining reference points for the region. This is one of the California Central Coast superstars, and the wines are worth every cent."