2007 L'Aventure Roussanne Estate Paso Robles

Bright gold. Spicy citrus and green apple aromas are complemented by oak spices and anise. Fleshy pear and orange flavors are firmed by a bitter fruit skin quality, picking up succulent herbs on the back end. Finishes with excellent chewy persistence and an echo of orange. Pretty serious stuff: "I don't want to make an aperitif wine out of roussanne," Asseo told me.