2005 L'Aventure Cuvée Les Demoiselles

Another brilliant blend is the 80% Mourvedre/20% Syrah cuvee, the 2005 Demoiselles Proprietary Red. A superb example of Paso Robles Mourvedre, it offers up sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with hints of graphite, truffles, and incense. The striking aromatics are followed by a dense, full-bodied wine with a multidimensional mouthfeel as well as fabulous length and concentration. It does not reveal any of the hardness or sharpness that Mourvedre can provide. It will easily keep for 10-15 years. Transplanted Frenchman, Stephan Asseo (from St.-Emilion), has found a home as well as some great terroirs in the limestone soils of Paso Robles (all his vineyards are situated on the western side of Highway 101). Asseo continues to go from strength to strength, producing a fabulous portfolio of wines that makes L-Aventure one of the bright, shining reference points for the region. This is one of the California Central Coast superstars, and the wines are worth every cent. Tel. (805) 227-1588; Fax (805) 227-6988