THE STORY
At a recent Decanting Monterey Wine Pod tasting on our new front porch, we blind-tasted this lovely wine – the 2017 L’Aventure Optimus.
I’ve written about the Optimus several times, with the last one in 2023 here: Let’s Take Lunch to a New Level with L’Aventure.
THE WINERY
From the tech sheet:
“Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L’Aventure Winery, began making wine in 1982. In that same year, Stephan established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau Robin in the Cotes de Castillion in Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship and gained a “maverick” reputation. His true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow. In 1996, this led him, his wife Beatrice and their 3 children, on a journey to pursue his ideal as a winemaker. In 1997, after one year of research, they fell in love with a unique terroir in the west side Paso Robles. And L’Aventure began in 1998!”
THE WINE
I have just one wine to present to you today from L’Aventure. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2017 L’Aventure OPTIMUS Red Blend, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles AVA, $ (#1724) 49% Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot
Winery Notes: “Optimus is the perfect introduction to our lineup. Also known as our “crazy” Paso blend, Optimus is beautifully balanced with a lot of freshness. This wine is approachable young but can be enjoyed for up to a decade.” 94 points – Jeb Dunnuck
My Review: We blind tasted this wine.The rich dark red/purple color had me declare it was a new world wine. The nose was reminiscent of a Rhone wine. I thought it was from Napa based on the smooth, rich and tasty palate. I guessed it was a Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Absolutely delicious. February 2026
THE TASTING ROOM
“Discover personalized tastings on the Westside of Paso Robles. Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. To ensure a dedicated experience for each party, reservations are required.”
© Decanting Monterey 2026
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