Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

With BBQ Chicken & Roasted, Rosemary Potatoes on opening night of the D&S Lounge.

John Alban’s wines remind me most of all the California producers/versions of North Rhone or Côte-Rôtie wines. Côte-Rôtie translates into for us as “Roasted Slope.” I assume that’s why his craft was dubbed as the “Original Rhône Ranger.”

Although this has the roasted characterizations of those wines, this certainly has more ripe, ruby style fruits. Also, more purple & blue fruits.

John’s higher end wines, Reva & Pondora remind me of the a French producer, Rostaing. Those two vineyard productions more closely mimic the Rostaing style.

The Patrina is a good intro into Alban wines. You can tell it is a direct descendant but, for far less money. The others are better but, this carries the best wine value in their line up.

The nose reveals; roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, limestone & volcanic minerals, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender.

The body is; lush, ruby, big and like velvet. The tannins are round but, still pack, chewy, tarry, meaty tannins that are 45-50% resolved. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, will hit a peak in five to seven years. The 2010 Patrina still has room for improvement and will last another 10-15 years. It is simply wine candy. Roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices with just the right amount of palate heat, grilled meats, chestnuts, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, moist clay, limestone & gritty volcanic minerals, dry stone, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, Steeped black tea, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender. The acidity is phat & round. It holds the slightly elevated alcohol level nicely. The finish is excellent & consistent wire to wire. It’s long, ruby, candied fruits with just the right balance of earth that persists endlessly.

Just misses 9.4.

Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Happy National Wine Day! 🍷🥂🎉🎊

I haven’t had this 08 in about 3-4 years. I had four bottles then and drank them faster than I imagined it was just that insanely delicious. This Hendricks 08 Santa Lucia Pinot Noir is in the top two CA Pinot’s I’ve enjoyed. I found two bottles recently on auction for a ridiculous $40. When it’s sold in futures at the Hope & Grace tasting room it’s $75 and $90 upon release.

The nose reveals slightly baked; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries & strawberries. Some of the most beautiful spice on the nose mine has come across. It’s slightly sweet, dark with a touch of incense. Crushed powdery limestone, savoriness, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets.

The body is medium and flat out gorgeous. Its flows & dances over the palate. It’s a sexy wine. Wire to wire this wine doesn’t disappoint. Ripe and slightly candied; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries, pomegranate, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful dark spice with heat that lifts off the palate, nicely soft baking spices, incense crushed dry rock & powdery limestone, some rich, moist, dark earth, savoy meats, dry stems, spice, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets. The acidity is spectacular. The length, structure and balance have hit its peak. The finish is; rich, ripe, the definition of elegance, perfectly balanced and doesn’t end. It just goes on & on.

Photos of; Santa Lucia vines, Winemaker-Charles Hendricks doing the heavy lifting in the cellar l, grapes waiting to be crushed and the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville where this wine is sold. Charles is the Winemaker for Hope & Grace as well. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Mixed wild berry & wild dark flowers on the nose. Ripe & juicy wild berries, raspberries, dark cherries, cherries & cooked strawberries, elegant dark minerality and wet black soil, bid acid and good consistent wire to wire polished finish. — 10 years ago

Matt Lehman

9.5

Wonderful. — 10 years ago

John Miller

8.9

Delicious red blend from Napa! — 10 years ago

with Robert

Whitney Watts

9.6

Just as I remember from visiting the winery. Yum! — 10 years ago

Francis Wilden

Director Francis Wilden Food & Wine Consulting

9.0

2004 vintage: been some time since I've tasted youngish BORDEAUX. This wad surprisingly and pleasingly plump for what was a challenging vintage. Nicely textured entry, lively mid palate, finishes w reasonable length and fruit. Reminded me of a hi quality Margaret River cab of similar age. Very drinkable. — 11 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

10

Pinot Meunier is my favourite grape variety. For the new world- I love it so much more than its Noir sibling. It says- hi! I have depth- but I don't take myself seriously. I really like stems and I smell of sweet wet leaves crunching under foot. Yes. Yes.... And yes. Happy Thanksgiving! — 14 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Hi toned with great acid and bright floral fruit. Excellent — 6 years ago

with Bex

Ichiro Kawachi

9.2

Saba from Obama (Fukui) / This elegant Kuheiji/yamadanishki gift from Labo members. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

As I evaluate my wine purchases over time, I consider; quality, pleasure and the price of the bottle of wine. Specifically, how good is the wine vs. the price and others that I’ve had that are certainly better wines but cost over $70-$500 more? In this case, are they worth 3 to 14 times more money? I find the answer more often than not, no. I feel this way about the Heitz & Joseph Phelps regular Napa wines over their higher priced wines for sure. And, many other high end producers. This wine was under $35 and it’s delicious without having reached its peak.

On the nose, stewed; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals.

The body is medium full, rich and elegant. The tannins are round, fine and nicely resolved. It’s seamless wire to wire. The structure, tension, length and balance are starting to really jell. stewed, ripe; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries, creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark spice, dry stems, used leather, tobacco leaf, graphite, touch of mocha & caramel, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals. The acidity is near perfect. The finish is beautiful and last minutes. Still a lot of life in the 08...another 10 years plus.

Photos of; the side of their tasting room, transiting Winemaker David Heitz. Still disappointed a Napa pioneering family sold to a corporation. Tasting room terrace, old school basket press and a wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 8 years ago

Dave Olson

8.9

First of the 2016 vintage for me. Same blend as 2015 (65% Malbec 18% cab franc 17% Merlot). Seems a bit jammier and a bit smoother than 2015. — 8 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.0

I don’t even remember...this is when we cranked Stop Making Sense on the hi-fi and the concert footage was mesmerizing, as expected. — 9 years ago

with Mark

Rory Phillips

9.3

Seaside standard — 10 years ago

Linda Hawk

8.9

Cherries immediately on the palate, followed by blackberries and other fruit layers. Very pleasant sipper. — 10 years ago

Scotscowgirl

10

Lucious wine full of ripe blackberries. Not overly spiced and exceptionally smooth. Perfect with a simple filler steak followed by cheese. — 10 years ago

Anthony George

10

Wine maker says Hi!/Only prosecco I buy/Give this one a try 🍾 — 10 years ago

with Derek and Kaitlin

Jay McInerney

Novelist, Wine Critic Town & Country, Expensive Wino & Gastronaut

9.2

1997 vintage. Medium gold. Honeyed and rich with an electric wire of acidity in the middle. Just enough aged 2ndary notes. — 11 years ago

Justin Picone

9.4

Everyone who is anyone is drinking this prosecco. The wine maker says Hi!, hi to your world and hi to this wonder prosecco. — 12 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.1

Stunning color...refreshing without heaviness... — 7 years ago

Dave Olson

8.9

The first of the 2017 vintage.
Nice, but a bit rougher than the earlier vintages. Still a good deal at the price — 7 years ago

Monica Jones

9.3

Very good! I would have it again 😁 — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Girl computer Cru Bourgeois. You guys. Get into the Cru Bourgeois it doesn’t mean you are bougie (which Merriam-Webster just decided to include in their dictionary so if you don’t know what I mean...look it up), it just means you have high standards and a way with bargains. Consummate old world. It’s all like hi I’m all dark berries and black currant and violets and we’ve been having a party with our buddy tar but hidden in a pencil box because we are supes into graphite. Fuck this ink nonsense we like stones and lead. This wine is badass but it really would like some food too methinks. Earth and cassis. I’d very much like a mushroom pizza on the side. — 8 years ago

Michael Seely

9.3

Great balance — 8 years ago

with Joe

Patrick Derdeyn

9.0

Took a full 2hrs to open up and show fruit. Still nuanced and not your typical CA sparkler. These could really use several years to flesh out. If you open now pop it a couple hours early and throw it in the fridge. — 9 years ago

John Elmajian

8.9

Bought at Hi-Times — 10 years ago

Eric Landaluce

10

Great bottle of wine with friends at the cabin. Thanks for the wine Cody & Willow — 10 years ago

Kaitlin Gaska

9.5

Wine maker says Hi!/Only prosecco I buy/Give this one a try 🍾 — 10 years ago

with Derek and Anthony

Mark Little

9.5

Light brassy color. Bright. Nose has some barnyard, kumquat, oak, with hints of toasted nuts. Still getting yeast and brioche notes. A subtle caramel. On the palate you get honey, stone fruits, the nutty notes from the nose, and oats. The finish is long with hi acid, great food wine, citrus and caramel notes. Krug like. — 11 years ago

Willie Geiser

8.9

I say strawberry jammy. Staci says blackberry and oak. In any event, we like it.

Laurelie says: gave me a "vision" or, rather, a hallucination in which I felt I was being strangled by barbed wire. — 11 years ago