L'Aventure Optimus

Optimus is L'Aventure's second wine, and an entry into this Paso Robles winery.

Made from Syrah as the predominant grape, with significant amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, it's a subtle, round and elegant red which provides an insight into the house's style and quality. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in new (60%) and second-fill French oak barrels in which it subsequently matures for 14 months. It's bottled without any clarifying or filtering.

Its deep purple colour with violet glints forestalls a stately nose of blackberries and raspberries, tobacco leaves, withered flowers, liquorice and undergrowth. It fills the whole palate with balance and power, without being at the same level of excellence as L'Aventure's top wines, but with juicy fruit and an almost inky touch. Smoky notes, spices and a mineral flourish accompany a juicy and discreetly sweet palate that grows with aeration. It takes a leisurely leave, with elegant hints of subtle tannins and glimpses of red berry fruits and flowers.