“Utterly compelling and hard to resist… should be snatched up by savvy readers.” - JD

You’re savvy.

Why else would you be getting this email?

And man, if Jeb thought you should snatch it up at the release price… what would he say about getting it at the best price (after coupon code) ever?? With 96 points and double 94s too from the pros, this is consistently one of the best Paso reds from year after year. There’s not much to think about here if you’ve had it before, and if you haven’t, it’s about time you experienced L’Aventure’s “pleasure bent” style.

PRO TIP: Last week a couple of L’Aventure’s flagship 100-pointers took our site by storm during our Beyond Napa Cellar Stocker, if you missed them visit the Store today for the last few bottles!

Stephan Asseo has made a name for himself with the L’Aventure label. Collectors LOVE his wines - to put it mildly. For 17 years he made wine in France but grew frustrated with the French regulations. So, he set out with his wife Beatrice to California. He wanted freedom to make blends, to experiment with a less restrictive winemaking style. So, he founded L’Aventure in 1998, and started cranking out hugely popular wines like this Cabernet/Syrah/Petit Verdot blend for example. Out the gate he began racking up BIG scores and he remains one of Paso’s most respected and coveted producers to this day.

Optimus is the entry level L’Aventure, but it crushes other higher end wines. There’s hardly anything like it. “As seamless as they come” says Dunnuck. The electrified cherry, red raspberries, and darker black fruit shine bright. There’s fantastic minerality with graphite, gorgeous purple flowers, and peppery spice. An absolute dream to drink and it’ll stay that way for many years to come.

We wish there was more of this one to share, but no chance it lasts more than an hour or two…

96 Points – James Suckling

“Extremely aromatic with ripe cherry and berry aromas, as well as flowers and citrus. Medium to full body with fine, polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is really well done and one of the most balanced L’Aventures I have encountered. Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.”

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Stephan Asseo, who’s assisted more and more by assistant winemaker Patrick Davies, continues to keep his L’Aventure estate near the top of the pyramid in Paso Robles. The 2019s are some of the finest wines I’ve tasted at this estate and have a rare mix of power and vibrancy, with incredible aromatics and sensational purity and precision on the palate. The 2019 Optimus should be snatched up by savvy readers. Based on 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, it just about jumps out of the glass with gorgeous cassis, floral, pepper, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. As seamless as they come, this full-bodied, elegant, pleasure-bent 2019 is going to evolve for a decade. Drink 2021-2031.”

94 Points – Decanter

“Lovely aromatic intensity, spicy and nuanced on the nose but incredibly well defined on the palate which is crisp and precise with flavours that glide across, so linear and straight. There’s a coolness to the fruit profile and a refreshing juiciness. Concentration and structure with good tannic grip - lots on offer here.”