Jim McCusker

9.0

Patrina is essentially Alban's second label - mostly declassified barrels from Reva, Lorraine, and Seymour's if I remember what John told me. It's got a lot of the tell-tale characteristics of an Alban syrah in terms of the nose (e.g., the roasted meat, blackberries, and hints of iodine and camphor), just less of them. Medium-plus bodied on the palate. What it lacks - and why I rated it as low as I did - is any tannic backbone. I imagine this is in part by design: kinda like a Rosso di Montalcino to be consumed while the Brunellos are ageing in the cellar (in this case the "Brunellos" are Reva, Lorraine, and Seymours). Still a terrific wine for the price, though: lots of CA wines out there at double the price that deliver one-fouth what this does. Doesn't have the stuffing to age very long, though, so enjoy this one early!
(Increased my rating a bit - started evolving a bit more with time in the glass) — 7 years ago

RE Petrone

9.6

To John Alban a truly remarkable wine! — 8 years ago

Naboth van den Broek

9.3

Very nice, complex nose And flavors, almost Madeira-like — 8 years ago

D Maria Halstead

9.0

Lots of flavor — 8 years ago

Nate Redner

10

Rhubarb and raspberry. Killer domestic gamay — 9 years ago

Vinny Eng

9.7

@TatomerWines consistently nailing it! — 10 years ago

David L

9.3

10' Alban Vineyards Reva Syrah. I decanted it for 5 hours. Please wait a few years before opening a bottle. John is a genius!!! — 7 years ago

with Greg, Jo and 1 other

Ralph Lewis

9.5

Very nice Cab with character. Intense nose, blackberry and licorice flavors and earthy notes. Delicious. — 8 years ago

Michael Murphy

9.1

Full bodied Napa Cab! Smooth and lighter tannins than I was expecting. Decanted 6 hours before enjoying. — 8 years ago

James Knoblich

9.0

2006 J Bookwalter Winery 'Foreshadow' Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA — 8 years ago

John Goodridge

9.0

Well priced for 12 yr, smooth, medium oak, not peaty, given as a wedding gift. Goes great with nuptials. — 9 years ago

Eric Floyd

9.4

Herman Story: A voluptuous Syrah, soft around the edges. Smooth silky finish. — 10 years ago

Leon Moore

10

Best wine of the night if you ask me...2005 Syrah blind tasting wines — 11 years ago

Katie Baroost

9.1

Great cab! — 8 years ago

Paul Petty

9.1

Big fruity red very nice. Dry. Smooth lingering finish. — 8 years ago

Robert Lim

9.2

I'll echo the consensus - a lovely, elegant expression of Napa terroir in a Syrah. Vanilla notes give way to spiciness - fruit is at a balanced concentration with silky tannins. Vegetal tobacco notes from stems. Wish I bought more. John is an absolute rock star. 2012 vintage — 8 years ago

Angela Costanzo

9.7

fruity and floral — 8 years ago

Luke Mills VIII

9.3

Very good. Went well with the Cote de boeuf! It mellowed very nicely once our meals arrived. Would recommend to anyone, and will definitely try it again. — 8 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

And they said it was dead! Long live blood! — 9 years ago

Laurie Cole

9.5

Delicious! — 11 years ago