Daniel M

9.0

Very mineral nose with gun powder, crushed rocks, white flowers in the end too. The palate is extra dry with a lemony layer and another mineral one with a very wide mid palate that pushes back to the a long finish with a pinch of salt. Superb, extra dry, food wine. I would recommend to pair it with slices of squid and garlic lemon and parsley made on the frying pane — 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

Matthew Burnham

8.9

Full of fruit and very smooth — 9 years ago

Justin Lock

9.3

My first gamay from the USA, pretty good stuff! Lots of crushed rocks, flowers and liquorice. — 9 years ago

Yotam Sharon

Consulting Winemaker Gvaot, Miles, Alona; Blogger yotamsharon.com

9.5

WOTN. Amazingly fresh, yet evolved into fascinating complexity. Leathery and meaty/smokey at first, then red fruit sprinkled with lots of black pepper is revealed. There's good fruit presence on the palate too, with obviously-once-brooding tannins nicely softened by time. A long, satisfying finish. Rostaing rocks! — 9 years ago

Mark Kulpins

9.3

Wow. Basket of apples and pears along with a brioche bun and a mouthful of rocks all in a really really good way with a nice pucker on the finish to boot. — 10 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.2

Dried apricots, lemon zest, grapefruit pith, gardenias, wet rocks, marjoram. Vibrant acidity, light-medium bodied, juicy-rich texture, lengthy floral-citrus pulp-slightly briny finish. Mineral forward, delicate aromatics revealed more on palate, lends itself to an array of dishes. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Always love these Petite Sirahs from Mike Dunn, and this 2012 seems to be especially special. Dark purplish red. Overall lots of dark characteristics on the nose with tight bramble berries, black currants, spices, dried violets, a little cinnamon and even coriander. Even got a little gamey and savory with an hour or two in the glass. Heavy tannins (7/10) but smooth and full bodied. Kept beefing up as it sat open, currants on the attack, iron, smokey and a bit meaty. Larger in the mid-palate with some dark crushed rocks. Dark fruits coming through at the end after day one. Insanely dry and long with a nice little spice kick in the finish. Will drink well for the next decade or so. Drink till 2027. — 8 years ago

with India

Matt Trader

9.2

What a great wine for $30. It's concentrated, but velvety soft on the edges. Oiled leather, crushed rocks, dried flower petals, clove, and black currant are all ingredients to the inviting, yet soft perfume. The wine has a concentrated dark purple hue, and firm, yet forgiving tannins - a medley of red and blue fruits, Earl Grey Tea, vanilla, and green coffee bean to the finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and wouldn't mind having a stash of this.. yum! 75% Merlot 25% Cabernet Franc. — 8 years ago

Jose Zaragoza

9.7

Barrel taste. The nose is insane, nice light funk with violets. Mouthfeel was velvety and the finish went on for a couple of mins. — 8 years ago

Matt Trader

9.1

One of Delon family's finest, this is one of 3 main labels they own, next to Chateau Nenin in Pomerol, and the famed Leoville Las Cases in St. Julien. It is a beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, delicate, but bright and youthful, and beautifully colored. There is an abundance of black fruits and earth on the nose, and a bit of barnyard in the form of what reminds me of the rind of cheese, or mushrooms, followed by dry crushed rocks. The pallet is balanced and elegant, exhibiting intensity in blackberries,red apple skin, dark cherries, dried herbs, and a gorgeous finish. This was a wonderful wine to be enjoyed, and one that will attest time. I can't wait to have a 2010 in another 5-10 years.

Cheers!

$29.99 — 9 years ago

Alex Powell

9.1

From taste: classically styled, rock, bell pepper and lead in front, backed by tobacco and pine lumber. Fruit is way at the back of this bus, which is pleasing. Concentrated palate, full mouth, tobacco tinged cassis and mint in front with a long finish wracked with rocks, lead and assertive tannin. Shows typicity, power and polish well, well-priced at $64. Can be tucked up to 20 years for sure. — 10 years ago

Sage Shimoda

9.2

Aging nicely. When I tried this one a few years ago, I did not care for it, but today this one rocks. 2007 still has lots of fruits left. Delicious. — 10 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Medium to dark mix of garnet and ruby red. Layered nose with spices, cedar, dark fruits and black tea. Quite dark too. Medium tannins and medium plus to almost full bodied. Super extracted with lots of oaky influence. Layered with notes of cigar boxes, dark cocoa, plums, cherries, a touch of prunes and crushed rocks undertone. Long finish with quite a bit of power. Drink till 2020.

Grabbed for under $50.00 in PA. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose, ripe dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherry cola/licorice, pepper, medium spices, leather, underbrush, stones, crush rocks, very fragrant red roses and red dark florals. On the palate; the body is lean, medium soft tannins, black raspberries, black berries, dark cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, black cherry cola, peppery, medium spice, tobacco leaf with ash, lean leather, light grilled meats, underbrush, gritty dark minerals, red roses and dark fresh florals, light presence of violets & good acidity. Nicely balanced finish and easy to drink young. Photos of their vineyard and large oak fermenters. Hard to believe you can farm anything in that terrain let alone vines, huh? 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre & 4% Cinsault. — 8 years ago

Bryan Thomas

9.4

Just a couple of guys trying to right the ship - Raveneau rocks! — 8 years ago

Chris England

8.9

Bargain quality Chablis @ £12 & it's hard to beat on price - 88-90 every vintage & my go to @ this price 👍 a true ☀️ glugger 😎

🍷 Light golden yellow w/ lime hue

👃 Fresh wet rock mineral mist, citrus, green tart & sweet apples, melon & white flowers with a touch of fuel, grapefruit & pear

👄 Crisp refreshing med bodied full fruit palate of slight creamy sour green apples, citrus & touch grapefruit w/ medium tart acidity

🎯 Long dry finish of citrus & sour green apples smashed over wet mineral rocks — 8 years ago

Ian Blessing

9.5

Spectacular as always. Started off with typical Cayuse funk that integrated pretty quickly into a kaleidoscope of rich, sweet fruit while never being cloying. Framboise, fresh raspberry, blueberry, tons of violet, and a finish that's carried by crushed black rocks. Cayuse amazes me with its intense flavors that somehow never seem overextracted or heavy. It's the domestic version of an iron fist in a velvet glove. — 9 years ago

Daniel Porter

9.6

I love this Syrah from the Rocks of Walla Walla. Great depth of dark fruit with a very special mineral finish and undertones of vanilla bean. — 10 years ago

Louis Schofield

Sommelier/Wine Merchant East End Cellars

9.6

Very youthful, high tannins, ripe but pretty red fruits. 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah amazing taste of minerals/rocks — 10 years ago