January 7, 2024 - Our first bottle of this cuvee and we were not disappointed.
Decanted for 30 minutes (with some sediment) but longer would have been better. The color was a medium dark purple. Lots of dark fruits with a touch of red fruits on the nose. Blackberry, black currant, blueberry, black cherry, some raspberry, spice and just a bit of earth on the medium to plus bodied palate. The acidity was nicely balancing and there was just a bit of tannins on the finish. This wine should hold and may continue to develop for the next several years.
August 19, 2022 - Drinking great now mid 2022. You don't need to age it for years, but an hour or 2 decant makes it show nicely. Very dark and mildly brooding, but loads of finess and balance. Huge, with refined pencil lead, earthy notes, dark red and blue-black fruits too. Fine and silky tannins are drinking nice now, and probably better in 2024 if you want it perfect.
February 4, 2022 - Dark purple with no signs of age. Sediment in th bottle however and glass.
Huge aromas, oak and alcohol initially and needed a long decant. Dark fruit, some meaty qualities as expected from the large % of Syrah but still overwhelming fruit.
Full Body, acid is in check, high alcohol still present and expected since 16.4%. Pepper is front and center, tea leaves, some earthy notes to go along with the expected huge dark fruit. No real signs of Grenache here at this point. Laying down the rest for 7-10 years as this is still big and a little disjointed.
April 30, 2021 - I gave this two hours of air, but it did not Improve for me as much as others report here. Still a very nice bottle to have with grilled steaks.
June 23, 2019 - Absolutely fabulous! This wine has plenty of time left, but it is drinking exceptionally right now.
March 7, 2019 - Initially decanted for one hour, but the bottle required another hour to blow off the alcohol and get itself presentable. And then it was all a sultry sashay across the palate, complicated and captivating. There is texture and balance, fruit and terroir, front and finish. Just a beautiful bottle of wine in every way.
July 14, 2018 - Really outstanding wine. Rich and deep but balanced with a long finish.
August 18, 2017 - Amazing.
May 16, 2017 - Deep purple color, tannic. Round saturated and sweet. Blueberry flavors. A quintessential Parker wine. Delicious and flamboyant
March 18, 2016 - Ooh la la, headed for stardom. Big nose of dark fruit and earthiness, and a taste explosion of the same. The wine is opaque like ink, as we've grown to love from L'Aventure. Tanins are still there, but nicely balanced, so drinking nicely now, and beautifully for years to come. Worth every penny.