In This Newsletter:
L’Aventure and La Jota Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Tua Rita
L’Aventure and La Jota Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Tua Rita
The L’ La’s of California
Stock Up & Save On
L’Aventure and La Jota
Stock Up & Save On
L’Aventure and La Jota
L’Aventure
French winemaker Stephan Asseo founded the tiny and beloved estate of L’Aventure in the 1990s. He settled on Paso Robles for his estate due to its ideal condition for Rhone varieties with a dash of Bordeaux varieties, where he cut his teeth winemaking. He works exclusively with estate-grown fruit from the rolling hills that surround the winery. Aging takes place in the recently dug caves. These maintain a stable temperature and humidity ideal for the slumbering wine without additional energy expenditure. The resulting wines from the gorgeously appointed bottles are stunning. Bold, but with a classic profile of lifted acidity, these show off Paso Robles with panache. They’ll unfold beautifully in a decanter or rest soundly in your cellar for decades.
“Passionate, focused on terroir, willing to experiment, deep and open-minded, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure continues to be a force to be reckoned with in Paso Robles… The 2020s here are flat-out stunning. If there was any smoke taint, I could not detect it. They are beautifully structured and concentrated wines, with perfectly integrated oak and racy acidity to balance.” -Eric Guido, Vinous
La Jota
Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the La Jota vineyard was abandoned during Prohibition. Bill Smith revived the property in the 1970s before selling the estate and winery to Jackson Family Wines to pursue his interest in cool climate Pinot Noir. Under the stewardship of Jess Jackson and winemaker Chris Carpenter (of Lokoya and Cardinale), the winery and estate has flourished. The family immediately began investing in refurbishing the estate with the aim of bringing it back up to the quality last seen in the 1990s when Helen Turley was winemaker.
The vineyard rests on Howell Mountain, a steep terrain with volcanic soils that peeks above the fog line on summer mornings. The volcanic soils are a mix of decomposed ash and iron-rich clay and rock, offering a unique mineral signature to these high elevation grapes. Carpenter, who also founded the Napa Valley Slow Food chapter, excels at capturing the freshness and elegance of these high mountain grapes. We’ve long admired his work, showcased as well in the Jackson Family’s Mt Brave wines. He masterfully brings forth the terroir of these high peaks, crafting wines with the distinct terroir and showstopping complexity.
French winemaker Stephan Asseo founded the tiny and beloved estate of L’Aventure in the 1990s. He settled on Paso Robles for his estate due to its ideal condition for Rhone varieties with a dash of Bordeaux varieties, where he cut his teeth winemaking. He works exclusively with estate-grown fruit from the rolling hills that surround the winery. Aging takes place in the recently dug caves. These maintain a stable temperature and humidity ideal for the slumbering wine without additional energy expenditure. The resulting wines from the gorgeously appointed bottles are stunning. Bold, but with a classic profile of lifted acidity, these show off Paso Robles with panache. They’ll unfold beautifully in a decanter or rest soundly in your cellar for decades.
“Passionate, focused on terroir, willing to experiment, deep and open-minded, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure continues to be a force to be reckoned with in Paso Robles… The 2020s here are flat-out stunning. If there was any smoke taint, I could not detect it. They are beautifully structured and concentrated wines, with perfectly integrated oak and racy acidity to balance.” -Eric Guido, Vinous
La Jota
Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the La Jota vineyard was abandoned during Prohibition. Bill Smith revived the property in the 1970s before selling the estate and winery to Jackson Family Wines to pursue his interest in cool climate Pinot Noir. Under the stewardship of Jess Jackson and winemaker Chris Carpenter (of Lokoya and Cardinale), the winery and estate has flourished. The family immediately began investing in refurbishing the estate with the aim of bringing it back up to the quality last seen in the 1990s when Helen Turley was winemaker.
The vineyard rests on Howell Mountain, a steep terrain with volcanic soils that peeks above the fog line on summer mornings. The volcanic soils are a mix of decomposed ash and iron-rich clay and rock, offering a unique mineral signature to these high elevation grapes. Carpenter, who also founded the Napa Valley Slow Food chapter, excels at capturing the freshness and elegance of these high mountain grapes. We’ve long admired his work, showcased as well in the Jackson Family’s Mt Brave wines. He masterfully brings forth the terroir of these high peaks, crafting wines with the distinct terroir and showstopping complexity.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of L’Aventure and La Jota
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of L’Aventure and La Jota
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, February 8th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of L’Aventure and La Jota
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, February 8th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer nine in-stock L’Aventure and La Jota options on sale now, including:
La Jota Vineyard W. S. Keyes Chardonnay, Howell Mountain 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $109, that’s $103.55 at 5% off and $98.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
No review available for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The excellent 2019 Chardonnay W.S. Keyes is a different style of Napa Chard, with only 10% new French oak puncheons and no malolactic fermentation, there’s a delicate wood influence akin to pencil shavings, with more emphasis placed on pear, apple and citrus notes. Medium-bodied, this is a crisp, lean and focused effort that retains a pleasantly silky feel and plenty of length.”
La Jota Vineyard Merlot, Howell Mountain 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Lots of black olives with some conifer and mushrooms. Raspberries, too. Full-bodied with soft and round tannins. Really savory. Juicy. Drink now.”
La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Howell Mountain2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “Still based on Bill Smith’s original block from the 1970s, plus some additional plantings, the 2019 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain is 100% Cabernet Franc. Gentle florals and herbal notes of bay leaf and sage appear on the nose, adding savory complexity to the black cherries and red raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, silky, fine and elegant, this is a perennial favorite, drinkable on release and for a decade or more afterward.”
La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another superb wine from La Jota. Rich and explosive, the 2019 possesses tremendous density and plenty of mountain power. A Rush of black cherry, blackberry, licorice, spice and menthol builds into the huge finish. This is a fabulous vintage for the La Jota Cabernet.”
L’Aventure Optimus, Paso Robles 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Optimus has a deep ruby color and a deep core of red and black cherries, chargrill, thyme, charcuterie and desiccated violet. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with juicy acidity and approachable grainy tannins, and it has a long, layered finish.”
L’Aventure Cote a Cote Red, Paso Robles 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $109, that’s $103.55 at 5% off and $98.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2020 Côte a Côte is a beautiful blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre and one of the most successful wines I tasted from the challenging 2020 vintage. Deep ruby-purple, it offers pure aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, tar and pipe tobacco, continually unfolding with each return to the glass. The full-bodied palate offers wave after wave of perfumed fruit and tremendous spicy accents. It’s powerful yet harmoniously structured with powdery tannins and seamless acidity, and it offers a very long, detailed finish.”
L’Aventure Estate Cuvee Red, Paso Robles 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection from Paso Robles, the 2019 Estate Cuvee checks in as 50% Syrah, 35% 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.”
L’Aventure Estate Cuvee Red, Paso Robles 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 99 points “A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Estate Cuvée is another outstanding wine from L’Aventure in the challenging 2020 vintage, offering singular concentration and elegance. Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish.”
Tua Rita has been growing in reputation since the mid-1980s, with most attention being paid to their flagship Merlot: Redigaffi. It’s always an amazing and collectable wine, but 2010 was a standout. This is Pomerol with Italian verve. Expect black fruit, light leather and animal notes, as well as baking spice and a floral note that is almost herb-like. It is just entering a beautiful drinking window, but will continue to age gracefully for those with space and patience.
In Stock and On Close-Out Now:
Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT 2010 750ml Was $299, Now $269, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Redigaffi is even more impressive with seamless integration of ripe fruit and oak spice that meet each other perfectly in the middle. It soars to new heights of elegance and power, imparting beautiful tones of black fruit, polished river stone, bacon fat and black pepper as it makes its steady ascent. The mouthfeel is fleshy and generous and there is plenty of backbone here to carry the wine forward throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038. Stefano Frascolla and Tua Rita have almost single-handedly put Suvereto on Italys winemaking map. His latest releases are nothing short of spectacular.”
In Stock and On Close-Out Now:
Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT 2010 750ml Was $299, Now $269, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Redigaffi is even more impressive with seamless integration of ripe fruit and oak spice that meet each other perfectly in the middle. It soars to new heights of elegance and power, imparting beautiful tones of black fruit, polished river stone, bacon fat and black pepper as it makes its steady ascent. The mouthfeel is fleshy and generous and there is plenty of backbone here to carry the wine forward throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038. Stefano Frascolla and Tua Rita have almost single-handedly put Suvereto on Italys winemaking map. His latest releases are nothing short of spectacular.”
We offer 173 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Merkelbach
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Merkelbach
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Merkelbach
Graillot
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Graillot
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Graillot
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Merkelbach sale ends Thursday, February 6th at 9 am Pacific. Graillot sale ends Friday, February 7th at 9 am Pacific.