Keith Docherty

9.1

Lovely Pinot noir that’s more rustic and less fruity in taste than other Californian producers but it’s a good wine to enjoy on its own or with some nice roast ham.
Overtones do have some plum and light fruits so it will tickle those tastebuds. — 3 years ago

Ben Bartolomei

9.0

Dust, chalk, light pepper, deep red fruit, very soft. — 5 years ago

C. Cole

9.1

Stone fruits and silky mouth feel. Lighter than many Talleys, but delicious nevertheless.. — 5 years ago

Jessica Swain

9.0

Delicious. Nice finish — 6 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.5

Never misses. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Alban Vineyards, the original Rhône Ranger. Of all the CA producers that try to emulate the Rhône style, I believe, Alban Vineyards emulate it best!

On the nose; ripe fruits of mixed berries, savory meats, pork & bacon fat. Mocha, dusty dry brown top soil, powdery volcanic minerals, dry underbrush, vanilla, cherry/raspberry cola, dark, rich black soil, beautiful spice, fresh red & dark florals.

The body is medium to full, round & ripe. Tannins are nicely soften with plenty of life ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries, plum, boysenberries & some blue fruits. Savory meats, pork, bacon fat, dry brush, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, cola, some dark moist soil, limestone, some black licorice, touch of spice & black pepper, red & dark florals with violets, great round acidity and a rich, round, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts & lasts.

Photos of, the Patrina Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker-John Alban, nice Syrah fruit bunch and their barrel room. — 7 years ago

Simon Weston

9.0

Solid vintage, inky purple color, blackberry, leather & pepper on the nose and dark fruits and leather to taste. Delicious! — 4 years ago

Adam Baker

8.9

Drank with onion and pepper brats and peach, tomato, and corn salad at Grand Lake cousin’s camp (2021). Light mouthfeel, hint of pepper and spice, but the spice might be the peppers. Raspberry, strawberry, and mild blueberries. Lighter than my style but good with the brats and good fruit. — 4 years ago

with Brud and Chris

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Perfect hue for the Golden state. Nose is honey, cucumber and something funky. Maybe ‘pool toy’? Flavors are luscious. Streaks of acid and bitterness pair perfectly with the melon, apricots, yellow plums and honeysuckle. Pretty round in the mouth. It’s a fragrant and tasty CA Viognier. Hasn’t lost any freshness 5 years on. And it’s SIP Certified Sustainable to boot. — 5 years ago

Doug Sayed

9.1

2014 vintage. Bright red and blue fruits with a stout structure and a really nice finish. Needs. A good decant or another year or two to smooth out. Really nice though. — 7 years ago

Henrik Poulsen

9.4

While fairly developed this showed a very complex and unique nose.
I don’t think it is for everyone but hit high with me. — 7 years ago

Ashwin Muthiah

9.3

Beautiful fruit on the nose. Medium bodied with bright acidity. Notes of vanilla on the finish. — 8 years ago

Lindsay Schroeder

9.2

Perfectly balanced RS and acidity. Crisp, floral, clean and light. — 8 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.2

Really impressed with this wine. This area of California’s landscape and proximity to the Pacific mimics that of Albariño’s home, Rias Biaxas. Salty, tropical, and mineral with good weight and balance. — 4 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Excellent!! Full mouth feel, with a little kick at the back of the throat. At Rockfish w D&S for C’s 70th. — 4 years ago

Sam Lee

9.0

Pairings suggestion :
Scallion green onion ginger steamed whole fish pollock 🐟
Summer all time fave 🎍
When give it a swirl, the melon tangerine and lime zest apricot sweety come out beautifully makes the food pairings again beautiful and done well, enhance the meal and environment colorful 🌈 — 5 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Clear straw color. Aromas of mango, passion fruit and citrus. Crisp citrus and tropical fruit finish. In a 1978 Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival glass. — 6 years ago

Lori K

9.4

Creamy, buttery, great with cheese. Low acid... — 7 years ago

Paul T HB

9.2

Preferred the 12 over this 13, pretty closed down now. Hopefully its a day 2 wine
Parker/lisa 97+ — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.1

Darker hues than I've ever seen from this bottling. Rather amber and dark. Marzipan, kettle corn, carmelized fruit. I enjoy tasting these but they always guarantee a hangover for me. — 8 years ago