Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Dijon 667, Dijon 115 and Swan clones. 7.3.24. — 10 months ago

Michael Mugmon

9.7

Outdoor dining before it gets too cold and rainy. — 4 years ago

with Amy

TheSkip

9.1

Delightful — 6 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A powerhouse - always delivers. Open/decant well in advance. — 6 years ago

Chris Hyde

9.2

Fresh, juicy Pinot Noir. — 7 years ago

with Shannon

Somm 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. — 8 years ago

Joe Dunn

9.3

Great black fruit. Black pepper. Ripe and slight underripe. 36th bday wine. Violet tar tabaco. Charred earth. — 3 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. — 6 years ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

8.9

Savory, strawberry, pomegranate, forest floor, truffle. So crushable. — 6 years ago

Lindsey King

9.3

Delicious!! Bright cherries and briney olive notes. — 6 years ago

Michael McNabb

9.1

Delicious! — 7 years ago

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. — 7 years ago

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) — 8 years ago

Frank B

8.9

Not sure about it. Mouth feel is good earthy sanguine flavors that I am still processing. — 4 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

8.9

From my eastern Washington tour. A fair to good cab. This was of silky smooth style. I think it will age well. Tasted and felt like a cab with long finish.. — 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. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had this 1year ago. Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 56%Merlot, 28%Cab Sauv & 16%Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Wonderful berry fruit aromas, flavors of cherry, jammy blackberry and rasp with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral. Had this with a USDA prime Fillet. Drink now & over next few years, any longer the wine will lose vibrant quality. Nice! — 6 years ago

Randmaster Flash

9.6

Dark and jammy — 7 years ago

Somm 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. — 8 years ago

Nancy Bernstein

9.0

Love this — 8 years ago