2012 L'Aventure Cuvée Chloe

The 2012 Chloe flirts with perfection, and could warrant a perfect score with another handful of years in the cellar. Made from 71% Syrah and 29% Grenache, it’s an incredible wine that gives up layers of spring flowers, cassis, licorice and violets that flow perfectly to a full-bodied, massive and inky wine that never seems heavy, over-the-top or cumbersome in the least. It shows more and more tannin grip with air (as well as distinct minerality), so give this a handful of years in the cellar. It will drink nicely through 2027. This was another incredible lineup by winemaker Stephan Asseo, and both his 2012s and 2013s are at the top of the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, this vintage reminds Stephan of 2004, and the wines show incredible purity, as well as blockbuster levels of depth and richness. The tannin quality here is also off the charts, and this is what puts his 2012s a notch above the 2013s. For the reds, we started the tasting with 2013s from barrel. At the moment, the 2013s have more obvious tannin structure, yet they don’t lack for fruit or texture either. It will be interesting to see how these continue to develop in barrel. Either way, both of these vintages deserve a place in your cellar and it will be thrilling stuff to follow these wines over the coming decade or longer. Tel. (805) 227-1588; www.aventurewine.com