L'Aventure L'Aventure Optimus 2022 750ml

Ripe blackberries, cassis and plum skins with blood orange, anisette and wet stones on offer. Full-bodied with compact, refined tannins and velvety texture. Generous and plentiful with a deep core of black fruit and a spiced, chocolatey finish. Really well made. A blend of 55% syrah, 27% cabernet sauvignon and 18% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Optimus is an elegant, polished blend of 55% Syrah, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Petit Verdot. It takes plenty of air to reveal maraschino cherry, blueberry, leather, aniseed, gravel dust and garrigue aromas. The full-bodied palate offers expansive, spicy fruit framed by powdery tannins and focused acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle.

A blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Optimus has a deep ruby color and a deep core of red and black cherries, chargrill, thyme, charcuterie and desiccated violet. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with juicy acidity and approachable grainy tannins, and it has a long, layered finish.

Lifted and perfumed nose with aromas of bramble berries, cedar and mocha. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and fresh acidity, showing notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves and graphite. Very well constructed and balanced. A blend of 66% syrah, 25% cabernet sauvignon and 9% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

Grilled meat, bacon fat, tobacco and olives to the nose that follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with rich, creamy tannins. 58% syrah, 31% cabernet sauvignon, 11% petit verdot. Drink now or hold.

The darkly floral 2020 Optimus impresses with a spicy blend of crushed black raspberries, dusty florals and olive tapenade. This is texturally thrilling and creamy in feel. Zesty acidity adds impressive energy, with depths of dark red fruits and savory spice that swirl throughout. It finishes incredibly long, communicating power and a classic tannic structure that frames the experience without slowing its momentum. (Eric Guido)

Moving to the 2021s from bottle and starting with the 2021 Optimus (55% Syrah, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Petit Verdot), it sports a deeper plum/purple hue as well as rocking notes of blackberries, peppery herbs, candied violets, and subtle meaty, savory nuances. It's medium to full-bodied and has a round, layered, silky texture and outstanding length. It’s going to shine for 5-7 years, if not longer.

A deep purple hue, the 2022 Optimus opens in the glass with a whiff of savory herbs, licorice and cocoa powder accentuating dried black cherries. This is luscious and round with fleshy wild berry fruits and sweet spices that swirl throughout. Zesty acidity enlivens the experience, as a subtle note of fine tannins adds form, tapering off with length yet only lightly structured. I love the energy here.

The 2022 Optimus checks in as 66% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort offers a terrific nose of ripe blackberries, peppery herbs, violets, and game to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, yet beautifully balanced style on the palate. I love its tannins, it has soft, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s already drinking beautiful and will evolve nicely for 8-10 years.

Starting off with the 2020 Optimus, it’s a blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Petit Verdot that spent 14 months in 65% new French oak. It displays a solid deeper purple hue to go with a peppery, darker berry, graphite, and smoky earth-driven bouquet. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a round, supple, mouth-filling texture, quality tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. It’s clearly an outstanding wine but a step back from past vintages. (Jeb Dunnuck)