L'Aventure Estate Cuvée 2006
L'Aventure
49% Syrah estate, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon estate, 14% Petit Verdot estate. A dark, dense color reflects similarly dense, tight aromas of black fruit, “pain grille” and light barrel toast. A firm, consistent attack on the palate provides a vibrant beginning. Blueberries and wild blackberry mingle with some higher–tone notes of macerated strawberries and raspberry puree. Licorice and leather underpin these and all wash across the mouth to a long, rich, silky and seamless finish. A hint of calcaire runs throughout the nose, and the finish. Stephan loves this wine, as it at once dense and elegant from the soft tannins, as well as bright.
Wine Advocate
A thrilling, nearly perfect efforts is the 2006 Estate Cuvee. A blend of 49% Syrah, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2006 Estate Cuvee may be even better. Tasting like a superb example of a premier grand cru St.-Emilion made from California-s limestone soils, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as a perfume of sweet creme de cassis, fruitcake, licorice, incense, tobacco leaf, and spice box. A voluptuous texture, fabulous opulence, and thrilling concentration as well as purity make for a prodigious example of blended red wine that will provide enormous pleasure and complexity for 12-15+ years.
Score: 97.
—Robert Parker,
June
2008.
Wine Spectator
A touch rustic, but in a pleasing way, with gravelly mineral, pebble, pepper and crushed wild berry flavors that are intense and firm, yet the fruity flavors push through on the finish. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012.
Score: 90.
—James Laube,
2008.
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
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Kosher
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Biodynamic designation is regulated by Demeter, an international certification organization. Biodynamic agriculture is based on the view of a farm as a self-contained organism. Certified organic vineyards must meet Demeter"s additional criteria for a period of one year before earning the designation "biodynamic."
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Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate is a bimonthly wine publication featuring the consumer advice of wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. Initially titled The Baltimore-Washington Wine Advocate the first issue was published in 1978. Accepting no advertising, the newsletter publishes in excess of 7,500 reviews per year, utilizing Parker's rating system that employs a 50-100 point quality scale.
Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on wine and wine culture. It publishes 15 issues per year with content that includes news, articles, profiles, and general entertainment pieces. Each issue also includes from 400 to more than 1,000 wine reviews, which consist of wine ratings and tasting notes.
International Wine Cellar
Since 1997, the 100% subscriber-supported IWC has also been available in French and Japanese editions.
Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Magazine is a lifestyle magazine covering wine, food, spirits, travel and entertaining topics. It was founded in 1988 by Adam and Sybil Strum and reaches 686,000 readers. Its wine ratings, conducted by reviewers in major wine-producing areas of the world, are considered an influential gauge for consumers and professionals in the wine industry.
Wine & Spirits
Wine and Spirits is America's practical guide to the straightforward, enlightened enjoyment of fine wine and and premium spirits. We have for 18 years served customers and marketers alike with a lively mix of wine reviews, features, profiles, food and wine pairings, new product introductions, travel pieces, history, opinion and wine business news.
Burghound
Burghound.com was the first of its kind to offer specialized, and more importantly, exhaustive coverage of a specific wine region. The first Issue was released in January of 2001 and there are now subscribers in more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states. Allen Meadows spends over four months a year in Burgundy and visits more than 300 domaines during that time.
James Halliday
James is one of the world’s leading authorities on Australian wine, matching intelligent, honest reviews with unparalleled knowledge of, and passion for, the wine industry.
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
For thirty-five years, Connoisseurs’ Guide has been the authoritative voice of the California wine consumer. With readers in all fifty states and twenty foreign countries, the Guide is valued by wine lovers everywhere for its honesty and for it strong adherence to the principles of transparency, unbiased, hard-hitting opinions.
James Suckling
I rate wines using the 100-points scale. I have used this point system for close to 25 years. I still believe it is the simplest way to rate a wine, with its origins from grade school in the United States. A wine that I rate 90 points or more is outstanding (A), and worth buying. If I rate a wine 95 points or more (A+), it is a must buy.
View from the Cellar
View From the Cellar, an electronic wine newsletter published bi-monthly by John Gilman.
Wine Journal
Homepage for wine writer, Neal Martin's, "Diary of a Wine Writer".
Malt Advocate
Malt Advocate magazine is America's leading whisky magazine. It's the number one source for whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.
