L'Aventure : Chloé 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chloé 2018 from L'Aventure

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep purple hue, characteristic of blends dominated by syrah.

Nose

The nose stands out for its delicacy and refinement. It reveals elegant floral notes, notably violet, alongside aromas of dark fruits such as blackberry and raspberry. Subtle mineral and woody nuances complete this aromatic bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows wonderful fullness while maintaining remarkable balance. The tannic structure is both firm and silky. Flavors of dark fruits and crushed flowers dominate the palate, carried by great freshness that extends into a lingering floral finish. Overall, it reflects a successful union of power and finesse.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for braised lamb or lamb with Mediterranean herbs. It also pairs beautifully with firm-fleshed poultry such as duck or pheasant, especially when served with rich sauces or fruit-based sides. Grilled or roasted beef also makes an excellent pairing.

Serving and cellaring

Chloé 2018 can be enjoyed now, yet it offers exceptional aging potential. It can be cellared and enjoyed through approximately 2038, or even beyond.

An outstanding Rhône-style blend from Paso Robles by L'Aventure

The estate

Founded in 1998 by Stephan and Beatrice Asseo, the L'Aventure estate spans 127 acres on the West Side of Paso Robles, California. Stephan Asseo, a winemaker trained in Bourgogne and backed by seventeen years of experience in Bordeaux, left France to escape AOC regulatory constraints and freely express his creative vision of wine. Still run today by the founding couple, the estate has established itself as one of the references in Paso Robles thanks to an innovative approach that favors sophisticated blends and the expression of terroir. The Asseo family upholds a philosophy centered on quality, innovation, and strong family values.

The vineyard

L'Aventure’s vineyard enjoys an exceptional setting on the West Side of Paso Robles. Planted on hillsides at varying elevations, it is characterized by complex, maritime-origin soils composed of calcareous and siliceous schist derived from ancient deposits of bones, shells, and plankton. These lean soils, combined with high-density plantings of more than 2,000 vines per acre, promote the production of small, concentrated berries. The region’s Mediterranean climate features remarkable diurnal temperature swings, with differences reaching 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit between day and night, thanks to the cooling influence of the Templeton Gap. These conditions allow the grapes to ripen slowly and optimally while preserving their natural freshness.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in California proved cooler than the previous years, following a run of hot vintages from 2012 to 2017. These more moderate conditions encouraged the development of bright acidity and an elegant aromatic expression, particularly for producers who kept yields low, such as L'Aventure.

Winemaking and aging

Chloé 2018 is crafted using the co-fermentation technique, an innovative approach adopted by L'Aventure starting with the 2010 vintage. The syrah and grenache grapes, harvested at the same time thanks to synchronized ripening, ferment together with viognier, allowing a natural interaction between grape varieties that cannot be replicated through simple blending. Extremely low yields, on the order of 1.5 to 2 tons per acre, ensure outstanding concentration. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, new and once-used. No fining or filtration is performed, thereby preserving the wine’s integrity and authenticity.

Grape varieties

Syrah (69%)
Grenache (23%)
Viognier (8%)