Tasting note

L'Aventure's flagship 2010 Estate Cuvee is strikingly beautiful. An exotic melange of dark cherries, plums, graphite and grilled herbs fleshes out in this deep, marvelously pliant wine. The 2010 impresses for its freshness, depth and fine overall balance, but the bouquet alone is compelling. Varietal Cabernet notes linger in the empty glass. This is a great showing. The Estate Cuvee is 42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot. I also tasted the Estate Cuvee back to 2002, and found in the best vintages the wine ages quite well. My favorites years are 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009, but the overall takeaway was really an impression that L'Aventure's flagship is becoming more refined in its overall personality. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Score: 95 (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2012)