94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot.. The 2018 Optimus reveals a deep purple color as well as beautiful notes of crème de cassis, black licorice, tobacco, chocolate, and a rocky, earthy minerality. It's rich and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful purity and silky tannins. This is a terrific introduction into the wines of l'Aventure and will drink well for over a decade. Drink: 2020-2032. (Sep 2020)"
94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): " A gorgeous counterbalance to the classic Cabernet-dominated Napa Cabs that you will find through the Place de Bordeaux this September. Here you get a beautifully exotic edge, with sage and raspberry notes coming from the Syrah on limestone soils filling out the chocolate, menthol and cassis of the Cabernet. Fine tannins but plenty of them, with a restrained but unmissable twist of smoked oak. Michel Rolland consultant. Another Bordeaux link here as owner Stephan Asseo used to own several châteaux, including La Fleur Cardinale. This 2018 is his 20th vintage in Willow Creek. Drinking Window: 2022-2036. (Aug 2020)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Saturated ruby. Sharply focused aromas of cherry and dark berries, exotic spices, vanilla and incense; a smoky mineral top-note builds in the glass. Sappy, sweet and energetic on the palate, showing strong lift and powerful thrust to the spice-tinged cassis, cherry and floral pastille flavors. At once rich and lively, displaying fine definition on an impressively long, gently tannic finish that leaves a suave floral note behind. Drink: 2023-2032. (Dec 2020)"
92 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "A blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot aged in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Optimus is the 20th edition of the cuvée and contains a touch less Petit Verdot than usual. It has a deep ruby-purple color and opens perfumed with crushed red and black cherries, dried violet, salumi and bay leaves with bright touches of blood orange peel. The medium to full-bodied palate is layered and surprisingly light on its feet, with a finely defined tannic grain and good freshness, finishing long. 2,200 cases produced. Drink: 2020-2030. (Oct 2020)"
94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): " A gorgeous counterbalance to the classic Cabernet-dominated Napa Cabs that you will find through the Place de Bordeaux this September. Here you get a beautifully exotic edge, with sage and raspberry notes coming from the Syrah on limestone soils filling out the chocolate, menthol and cassis of the Cabernet. Fine tannins but plenty of them, with a restrained but unmissable twist of smoked oak. Michel Rolland consultant. Another Bordeaux link here as owner Stephan Asseo used to own several châteaux, including La Fleur Cardinale. This 2018 is his 20th vintage in Willow Creek. Drinking Window: 2022-2036. (Aug 2020)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Saturated ruby. Sharply focused aromas of cherry and dark berries, exotic spices, vanilla and incense; a smoky mineral top-note builds in the glass. Sappy, sweet and energetic on the palate, showing strong lift and powerful thrust to the spice-tinged cassis, cherry and floral pastille flavors. At once rich and lively, displaying fine definition on an impressively long, gently tannic finish that leaves a suave floral note behind. Drink: 2023-2032. (Dec 2020)"
92 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "A blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot aged in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Optimus is the 20th edition of the cuvée and contains a touch less Petit Verdot than usual. It has a deep ruby-purple color and opens perfumed with crushed red and black cherries, dried violet, salumi and bay leaves with bright touches of blood orange peel. The medium to full-bodied palate is layered and surprisingly light on its feet, with a finely defined tannic grain and good freshness, finishing long. 2,200 cases produced. Drink: 2020-2030. (Oct 2020)"
| Product SKU | 338239 |
| Producer | l'Aventure |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| SubRegion | Central Coast |
| Appellation | Paso Robles |
| Varietal | Other Red Blends |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot |
| ABV | 14.9% |
| Ships To |
