2010 Stephan Vineyards ‘Stephan Ridge by L’Aventure’: Wine of the Week

2010 Stephan Vineyards “Stephan Ridge by L’Aventure”

The Stephan in the name of this Paso Robles blend is none other than Stephan Asseo of the cult estate “L’Aventure.” This beauteous blend of Syrah with 20% Cabernet and 10% Petit Verdot, however, is not in the same elevated price range as L’Aventure bottlings.

Made from wines Asseo opted not to use in his estate blend, at $25, the Stephan Ridge is quite the bargain. It’s got a beautiful nose of black cherries and red plums, a smooth velvety texture, firm tannins and sweet sweet fruit, making it just the wine for barbecue. It would be great with Chinese barbecued pork or a seared skirt steak.

Region: Paso Robles

Price: About $25.

Style: Lush and round.

What it Goes With: barbecued meats, Chinese pork, prime rib.

Where to Find it: Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463, https://www.hitimewine.net; La Maison Gourmet in Mission Viejo, (949) 916-4810, https://www.lamaisongourmet.net; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463, https://www.missionwines.com; North Country Wine Company in Escondido, (760) 744-2110; https://www.northcountrywinecompany.com; Tastes of the Valley in Pismo Beach, (805) 773-8466, pismowineshop.com; and Wine Country in Signal Hill, (562) 597-8303, https://www.thewinecountry.com.

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