Laura McLaughlin

10

Delicious and bold — 6 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A powerhouse - always delivers. Open/decant well in advance. — 7 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. — 7 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. — 8 years ago

Katie Baroost

9.1

Great cab! — 9 years ago

Robert Mackie

9.9

Outstanding Chardonnay but a bit pricey! — 10 years ago

Michael Murphy

9.1

Full bodied Napa Cab! Smooth and lighter tannins than I was expecting. Decanted 6 hours before enjoying. — 10 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. — 10 years ago

Pam Woolf

10

Party with P, A , M, O, Sh
Aged excellent — 11 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

KG

9.3

Delicious! Had it as part of a wine flight at Salish Lodge in WA. Celebrating our 2yr anniversary of the day we met. — 7 years ago

with Eric

Luis Robles

9.4

Great taste. Smooth. Great wine. — 7 years ago

G

9.1

2010 was a very good vintage. This is a sub $30 GSM which is excellent. — 8 years ago

Ryan Johnson

9.2

New world Condrieu like. A nice mineral take here. Alc is high but expected for this varietal. Floral/honey. Fun! — 9 years ago

Tom Chang

9.2

Great with tapas — 9 years ago

Paul Petty

9.1

Big fruity red very nice. Dry. Smooth lingering finish. — 9 years ago

Michael Schafer Esq. Sommelier CSW CCTP

9.0

2002. Yummy. Lives up to its name. — 10 years ago

Naboth van den Broek

9.3

Very nice, complex nose And flavors, almost Madeira-like — 10 years ago

Michael Wilson

9.0

Yay for CA gamay ! — 11 years ago

with Scott

Leon Moore

10

Best wine of the night if you ask me...2005 Syrah blind tasting wines — 13 years ago

TheSkip

9.1

Delightful — 6 years ago

Lindsey King

9.3

Delicious!! Bright cherries and briney olive notes. — 7 years ago

Michael McNabb

9.1

Delicious! — 7 years ago

Chris Hyde

9.2

Fresh, juicy Pinot Noir. — 8 years ago

with Shannon

Kimberly Anderson

9.2

What a fantastic wine! Heavy blueberry and blue fruit nose. Medium tannins and lush finish. Perfect with grilled veal chops — 8 years ago

with Chad, Julie and 1 other

Nancy Bernstein

9.0

Love this — 9 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.6

Wow. A fantastic offering by John Alban, I cannot imagine this 2006 drinking any better than it is right now. Aromatics dominated by grenache with hints of kirsch, herbs, and earthy undertones all skirting around the edge of Alban's signature intensity of fruit, smoke, and iodine. Has amazing balance with a great combination of silkiness and enough tannic backbone to keep it alive on the palate. Finish lingers on for almost a minute. This can probably go a few more years...but why wait? Another amazing wine from the Edna Valley wonderland that is Alban Vineyards!!!! — 9 years ago

with Vanessa

Paul Gordon

9.3

Very good GSM blend — 10 years ago

James Knoblich

9.0

2006 J Bookwalter Winery 'Foreshadow' Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA — 10 years ago

Tommy Pace

9.2

At first this was reserved but it opened up to a beautiful wine with great fruit and acidity. Very pretty. — 11 years ago