Erik Longabardi

9.2

An unsung American winemaker. Still making great wines — 10 months ago

Rob Sternthal

9.4

Da Bear! @Patria @Anthony Biagi strikes again! Loving this wine tonight. — 4 years ago

Lisa Fried

9.3

Already very smooth and delightful. — 5 years ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

8.9

Savory, strawberry, pomegranate, forest floor, truffle. So crushable. — 5 years ago

Michael McNabb

9.1

Delicious! — 6 years ago

Randmaster Flash

9.6

Dark and jammy — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Alban Vineyards as they state in their label "The first American winery & vineyard established exclusively for Rhone varieties." This Syrah has settled in nicely after 10 years in bottle. I would say it's peaking. On the nose; scorched earth, sweet & slowly baked; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries and dark cherries. Mint, eucalyptus, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed rocks, loamy top soil and lilacs, violets and lavender. The palate is rich and nicely resolved. The body medium-medium plus. The fruits are ripe, creamy and juicy; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries, dark cherries and strawberries haunt the long fruit set. Mint, eucalyptus, sage, smoked meat, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, scorched earth, a little bacon fat, underbrush, a whiff of black pepper, lilacs, violets and lavender, great rich, round, fresh acidity with a very good, long, balanced, well structured, finish with length and staying power. I prefer this over the Cayuse I had a couple of weeks ago. Much better balance of fruit, earth, etc.. photos of their Edna Valley vineyard, fruit that needs netting to protect it from the birds, John Alban and the Alban barrel room. Producer notes and history...In 1985, John Alban planted grapes for other people until he bought an estate in 1989. He focused on wines made from Rhône Valley varietals. Alban is one of the pioneers of the Rhone Rangers movement. They are considered to one of the more influential American Rhone producers. In beginning to grow Viognier, Alban said, "I almost single-handedly doubled the world's acreage," referring to a time when its cultivation was reduced to 50 acres or 20 ha in two areas of the Rhône Valley, Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Alban's work, along with that of Josh Jensen of Calera Wine Company (just sold to Duckhorn, ugh!) in San Benito County, helped to significantly expand plantings of Viognier in California at a time when the variety was near extinction. Alban has 250-acre or 100 ha under vine. Their vineyard area extends 60 acres or 24 ha, planted with Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. The Alban wines produced are; Lorraine Vineyard, Reva Vineyard Syrah, Seymour's Vineyard Syrah, Patrina Alban Estate Syrah and Pandora, a blend of Grenache and Syrah. They also used to produce a dessert wine from 5% botrytis grapes and aged in 50% new oak, called Rotten Luck. You can still find past vintages on Wine-Searcher. — 7 years ago

Frank B

8.9

Not sure about it. Mouth feel is good earthy sanguine flavors that I am still processing. — 3 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.1

Inky black in the glass with loads of cherry, dark berries and toast. I like the weight of this blend. Very jammy with a nice minerality. I'd definitely recommend and try this again. . — 5 years ago

John Malcolm

10

Extraordinary. Inky, deep purple color. Intoxicating bouquet. Plums, blackberries, dark cherries, chocolate, and a hint of tobacco. Full mouth feel. Elegant. Complex. A finish with a hint of sweetness. Decant for at least 60 minutes - it’s worth the wait. — 5 years ago

Lindsey King

9.3

Delicious!! Bright cherries and briney olive notes. — 5 years ago

Chris Hyde

9.2

Fresh, juicy Pinot Noir. — 6 years ago

with Shannon

Phillip Antley

9.1

It’s a nice wheated bourbon, and at the price can be a go-to workhorse. It’s got the same spice profile as ORVW, but lacks the soft finish. It’s good though, and just being in the Van Winkle conversation is saying something. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This Syrah is made in conjunction with Consultant, John Duval of Penfolds fame. John has also been making his Duval private label wines since he departed Penfolds back in Barossa. Gorgeous nose of sweet dark currants, dark moist soils, licorice, smoke, grilled meats, violets and fresh florals. The palate is rich, round, thick, sexy and elegant. Blackberries, liqueured, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries, lots blue fruits, smoke, grilled meats, cinnamon, vanilla, rich scorched earth, loamy soils, touch of crushed dry rocks, liquid violets, dark fresh flowers and full, mellow acidity. The structure, length, tension and balance are drop dead gorgeous. The finish is thick, full and flat out mouthwatering and jaw dropping gorgeously sexy. Photos of the Long Shadows logo, one of their vineyards and beautiful tasting room. — 7 years ago

Michael H

9.3

Ernst and family are geniuses!!!!
Love this Santa Barbara Pinot — 4 years ago

Daniel Taub

9.6

One word. Stunning. @Anthony Biagi — 4 years ago

Jon Ebsworth

9.0

Lovely southern Rhône white blend from the Barossa at Heckfield Place, The Sun House restaurant - partnered both fish and meat dishes well. — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A powerhouse - always delivers. Open/decant well in advance. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

Always going to be the highlight of the Wynns tasting and only made in years where the fruit quality and vintage conditions were exceptional. Sue Hodder said everything fell into place in 2015 and she made one of her best ever Riddochs. From less than 1% of Wynns available Cabernet fruit. Latent power on nose and palate with black fruits and balanced oak. At least a 30 year future but so balanced you could happily drink this now but one should wait at least 10 years for its charms to start showing through. A brilliant 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. — 6 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.0

Granny Smith apple. Tart with piercing acidity. Almost clear. Some salinity. Perfume, slight petrol. — 7 years ago