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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