L Aventure Côte a Côte 2018

Straight-up sexy, the 2018 Cote A Cote is a Grenache-dominated blend that includes 26% Mourvèdre and 23% Syrah, all aged in 35% new French oak. Stunning notes of black raspberries, ground pepper, Asian spices, and candied violets all flow to a full-bodied, concentrated wine that reminds me of a great vintage of Domaine de la Janasse's Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes cuvée. It shows more chalky minerality with time in the glass and is pure, seamless, and beautifully put together. Drink it over the coming 10-12 years.

A classical Rhône blend, with an earthiness and unfussy power that gives character and impact. This is lightly spiced with fresh acidities from the hill breezes of the Santa Rosa mountains, sculpted and lifted with graphite and slate on the finish. Generous dried fruit character comes in as the wine opens in the glass, bringing in fig, cocoa bean and ripe berry fruits with saffron and rosemary spice. Drinking Window 2022 - 2038