2016 L'Aventure Cuvée Chloé

The 2016 Cuvee Chloe is a blend of 69% Syrah and 31% Grenache that is co-fermented and saw around 20% whole cluster fermentation. The wine reveals aromas of ripe black fruits, roasted meat, espresso roast, dark chocolate and cracked pepper, followed by a rich, full-bodied palate that's amply endowed with extract, fruit and firm, chewy tannins—which may be stem-derived. It was only bottled a month ago when I tasted it, but even so, it's quite structurally assertive, so this is a wine for consumers that aren't afraid of tannin.

- William Kelley