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.
95 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)
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.
95 points, James Suckling (Sep 2023)
Sleek and straight, I love the texture here, smooth and so filling in a caressing kind of way. Tannins are lovely, soft and subtle, and this has a delicate sweetness with some savoury touches and bright acidity giving tang. It's lean and straight, gorgeous streamlined elements, nothing too massy or plump, but keeps the intensity of flavour al the way and ends still with lift and bite and juice. I like this a lot, it's not trying too hard to overplease. Glossy and shiny. Floral and finessed.
95 points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter (Feb 2024)
Rich raspberry colour, kicks off with a slab of slate tannins, then opens up to show life and lift, fennel, aniseed, raspbery and red cherry fruit, full of Californian joy and sunshine, slight burn of heat on the throat, but enticing and memory making. 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Stephan Asseo owner and winemaker, from the Willow Creek district of Paso Robles.
94 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2024)
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.
93+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2023)
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