Pure perfection from Paso Robles, the 2019 Estate Cuvee checks in as 50% Syrah, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot that was raised in 81% new French oak. Incredible cassis and black berry fruits as well as violets, chocolate, graphite, and who knows what else emerges from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet weightless mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s more seamless and approachable than the more backward, structured 2018 and will have two decades of prime drinking.

Blackcurrants, crushed stone and lavender with some rosemary. Full-bodied, yet it spirals deep and true on the palate, with creamy tannins and a dark, brooding finish. Provocative on the palate. Asphalt and spice notes. 50% syrah, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 15% petit verdot. Drinkable now or try after 2025, but you should really give this at least another five years in the bottle.

Opaque ruby. A highly complex, expansive bouquet evokes smoke-accented black and blue fruits, oak spices, incense, mocha and potpourri. Sappy, sharply delineated cassis, blueberry and cherry preserve flavors show energetic mineral lift and betray no rough edges. In an ample but lively style, finishing smoky and wonderfully long, with a resonating cherry note and chewy tannins that sneak in late. -- Josh Raynolds

(96+ points) The 2019 Estate Cuvée, a blend of 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, has a deep ruby-purple color and fragrant aromas of cassis, licorice, dried roses, leather and youthful new oak spice. The full-bodied palate is silky and uplifted, with fine, savory accents and a very long, mineral-driven finish. It deserves another 3-5 years in bottle and will be long lived in the cellar.- EB

Lovely purity of expression, inky in colour, with punch to the cassis and blueberry fruits. This is opulent in texture, with pencil lead flavours and a slate kick on the finish. The second vintage where they used shade cloth in the vineyard to protect the vines from the hot sun. A fascinating example of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot on limestone, extremely rare in Bordeaux, with the perfume of Syrah. A slight upscore from last year, as the 12 months has given extra depth. 80% new oak, 20% one fill barrels.

A chocolate-dusted nose with liquorice and cool blue fruit aromas. This has density with ripe and chewy fruit on the palate, similar to the other wines in the L'Aventure range, they major on cool blue fruits, berries and plums. The texture is smooth but this has layers of fruit, spice, caramel, sweetness and savouriness with a long finish. The alcohol is high with a hint of spice on the finish bringing it slightly into focus. A blend of 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot from 100% estate grown fruit. Wines are aged for 15 months, 81% in new French oak and 19% one-year-old French oak with malolactic fermentation in barrel. No fining or no filtering.