2019 L'Aventure For Her

The 2019 For Her is a blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Graciano and 12% Viognier. Deep ruby-purple, it unfurls to cassis, mint chocolate, licorice and cracked pepper, with floral and meaty aromas coming through with time in the glass. The palate is elegant and polished, with fine, pixelated tannins, seamless freshness and a long, mineral-driven finish. It's a great candidate for extended cellaring.

56% Syrah Hill Top Block, 32% Graciano Hill Top Block, 12% Viognier Block co-fermented. Deep ruby colour. There is a sappy quality to the ripe fruit at the core. Cassis, kirsch and star anise on the nose. The palate is oily, glossy and full bodied but the fruit and soft tannins do find balance. Warm and hedonistic, this is another high-octane wine but there is a sense of harmony too. (TP)

The 2019 For Her comes from a parcel of north-facing Syrah (56%) and the rest 32% Graciano and 12% Viognier that’s always co-fermented. The élevage spans 14 months in 50% new and 50% once-used French oak. It has a darker edge in its blue fruits, pepper, asphalt, and violet aromatics, and this carries to a full-bodied, beautifully textured, supple, sexy red blend that has present tannins and one heck of a great finish. It has another 15+ years of prime drinking ahead of it. 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. This report looks at the 2019s and 2020s, and both appear to be beautiful vintages. 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.