The Adventure - Estate Cuvée - Paso Robles 2016 11166fe81142afc18593181d6269c740

Vinous

96 / 100

byJosh Raynolds the9/26/2018

Vivid purple. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark fruit, exotic spices and flowers, along with suggestions of incense, vanilla, pipe tobacco and candied licorice. Stains the palate with deep-pitched dark berry liqueur, spicecake and rose pastille flavors sharpened by a late jolt of juicy acidity. Impressively concentrated but lively too, showing superb delineation on the floral-accented finish, which is framed by dusty tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's dense fruit. Drink 2026 - 2036.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-99 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe8/29/2018

Last of the 2016s from barrel, the 2016 Estate Cuvée is a classic blend of 52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot that's brought up mostly in new French oak. It's glass staining purple color is followed by a full-bodied, unctuous, seriously concentrated red that has building structure, a huge mid-palate and terrific notes of crème de cassis, pencil lead, tobacco leaf and graphite. The Cabernet really shows and this bruiser (although it stays graceful and lively) is going to require short term cellaring.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/15/2018

The 2016 Estate Cuvee reveals a youthful bouquet of crème de cassis, ripe plums, licorice, pencil shavings and anise, framed by a generous application of creamy, spicy new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ripe and heavily extracted, clamping down on the tongue and gums with an impenetrable wall of firm, chewy tannin that makes it hard to read. It's a bit too soon after bottling to truly get a handle on this, so I've given it a hesitant bracketed score. It's a blend of 52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot that was matured in 90% new oak.

Wine Advocate

97-99 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe9/29/2017

52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Estate Cuvee is all black cherries, crème de cassis and chocolate box on the nose with a Chinese five spice and potpourri undercurrent. The full-bodied palate is rich, opulent and firmly structured, with great purity and depth, finishing with lingering spice and dried herbs notes.
(97 - 99)+

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-99 / 100

Last of the 2016s from barrel, the 2016 Estate Cuvée is a classic blend of 52% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot that's brought up mostly in new French oak. It's glass staining purple color is followed by a full-bodied, unctuous, seriously concentrated red that has building structure, a huge mid-palate and terrific notes of crème de cassis, pencil lead, tobacco leaf and graphite. The Cabernet really shows and this bruiser (although it stays graceful and lively) is going to require short term cellaring.