2015 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée

Bright violet. An expansive, assertively perfumed bouquet displays black and blue fruit preserve and spicecake qualities, along with suggestions of incense and smoky minerals. Sweet blackberry, cherry cola and mocha flavors show a suave blend of richness and vivacity and pick up a violet pastille nuance on the back half. The floral quality carries emphatically through the youthfully tannic, dark-berry-dominated finish, which clings with excellent tenacity.

- Josh Raynolds

Blended of 55% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Estate Cuvee sports a deep garnet-purple color and nose of fresh black currants, blackberries and cigar box with touches of cardamom, bay leaves, pencil lead and cloves. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing with lingering black fruits. Forget it for three to four years and drink it over the next 20+.

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown