Bob McDonald

9.5

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 7 months ago

Frank B

8.9

Not sure about it. Mouth feel is good earthy sanguine flavors that I am still processing. — 5 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. . — 7 years ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

8.9

Savory, strawberry, pomegranate, forest floor, truffle. So crushable. — 7 years ago

Frank

9.5

Inaugural vintage of a truly great wine. This wine is pre- Russell Bevan - Luc Morlet is the wine maker. The wine is so soft at this point with a finish that persists in such a harmonious fashion. Absolute treat. The fruit is dark and delicious. The alcohol is >15% but the wine is so well balanced, the alcohol does not seem out of place. Great wine. — 7 years ago

with ADAM

Randmaster Flash

9.6

Dark and jammy — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush. — 8 months ago

Angie Stoneberg-Parker

9.0

Bold and smooth. Let it breath — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

Smoked meats, cherry and sugarplum in the nose. Said same follows through with a hint of cinnamon. Decently lengthy finish. Light-medium body. Best thing about this wine is that it walks the nearly impossibly thin tightrope between pinot noir (stylistically and body-wise) and syrah (while still having some back end chutzpah). Could match this up with nearly any meat or fish if you’re stupid enuff to spoil it with food. I think I paid $27 for it. May hafta go back for a case. — 6 years ago

TheSkip

9.1

Delightful — 7 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A powerhouse - always delivers. Open/decant well in advance. — 7 years ago

Michael McNabb

9.1

Delicious! — 8 years ago

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. — 9 years ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2025. Very nice cab Merlot blend. Nice flavor and finish. Nice on the palate. — 9 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Comida con mathias y clement colin john kapon y antenor camargo — a year ago

Howard Greenfield

9.5

Tasting 2018’s with Russell — 6 years ago

with Holli

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. — 7 years ago

Florent Peyre

9.4

Close to a Chassagne Montrachet — 7 years ago

Lindsey King

9.3

Delicious!! Bright cherries and briney olive notes. — 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. — 9 years ago