2012 L'Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
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Tasting notes
Incorporating 9% Petit Verdot, the 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 100%, lightly toasted, new French oak. It has a Pauillac-like bouquet of graphite, cassis, spring flowers and freshly sharpened pencils, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, impeccable balance and high, yet sweet tannin. This is a serious Cabernet that will be better in another 2-3 years, and have upward of two decades of longevity. This was another incredible lineup by winemaker Stephan Asseo, and both his 2012s and 2013s are at the top of the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, this vintage reminds Stephan of 2004, and the wines show incredible purity, as well as blockbuster levels of depth and richness. The tannin quality here is also off the charts, and this is what puts his 2012s a notch above the 2013s. For the reds, we started the tasting with 2013s from barrel. At the moment, the 2013s have more obvious tannin structure, yet they don’t lack for fruit or texture either. It will be interesting to see how these continue to develop in barrel. Either way, both of these vintages deserve a place in your cellar and it will be thrilling stuff to follow these wines over the coming decade or longer. Tel. (805) 227-1588; www.aventurewine.com
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
About the producer
L’Aventure is one of the leading wine estates in Paso Robles, California. It was founded by Stephan Asseo and his wife Beatrice who left their native France in 1997 in search of a place to make wine without the restrictions of France’s appellation system.