California's boldest red blend yet 🍷
Considering the risk of losing the renowned regional identity that both Napa Valley and Paso Robles have paid dearly for, it’s fair to ask: What were you thinking? Well, says Asseo, “after drinking a bunch of bottles one night at my house, Patrice became inspired and ended up with this idea—and perfect name.” But there are more serious layers to their answer too. “Similarities and contrasts,” Breton says.
Asseo unpacks their reasoning further: “You have two approaches, or philosophies, to producing wines. The first is to say that you have a very specific terroir and you want to keep it straight to express its specificity. The second, which is my personal approach when possible, is to take advantage of the diversity and complimentary traits the terroir brings, to make a wine that is even more original, complex and in the end, better.
Citing the Right Bank Bordeaux model of adding some good Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon to beautiful Merlot and ending up with a more balanced, complex wine—capable of giving more pleasure—Asseo describes the contributions of the Les Cousins components. “I think the L’Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon brought some brightness, vivacity and a touch of muscle to the beautiful textured silkiness and softness of the Vice Versa Cabernet.” Breton layers in the details.
The striking labels for Les Cousins—and there are two, designed by acclaimed French artist Tehos Frederic Camilleri—are themselves a study in similarities and contrasts. One is depicted in monochrome, signaling purity, minimalism, simplicity; the other pops with color, maybe a reflection of the character of the “cousins” more than that of their new wine.