L'Aventure, Optimus, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, 2020 Red Blend

If you're just starting to learn about wine, one tip to know is that wines that come from warmer climates tend to be bigger and fruitier (and higher in alcohol), and that can sometimes be a little overpowering. Paso Robles is an area in California further south than Napa and Sonoma, and sometimes those wines can get pretty loud. But if that tends to make you look elsewhere for your wines, take another look at the wines from L'Aventure. This particular wine of theirs is a blend of 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Petit Verdot. We started drinking this and then walked outside to where the grill was fired up, and it was like the grill angels started singing--this wine is meant to go with the grill. This is a big, bold wine, but it is meatier than a Cabernet Sauvignon (no really, it smells a little like meat, but don't let that put you off!) and fruitier than your typical French Syrah. With dark, ripe cherries and plums and a bit of pepper to top it off, this is a grill lover's wine.

Food pairing idea: grilled prime rib

In a nutshell,

The wine: A

The price: $65 at Jacob Liquor

Would we buy it again? yes, for special occasions (due to price)