Patrick Derdeyn

9.3

Popped In anticipation of this weeks release. These are just ridiculously good and they always show a certain characteristic that is immediately identifiable as Myriad, the best way I can describe it is “weightless”. The wine glides over the palate like pure liquid velvet with everything in great balance. Rich dark fruit, ever present acidity, a kiss of oak, and tannins that have already softened a bit at this early stage. — 6 years ago

Jeff Loo

9.4

Another amazing showing for this vintage and Pavillon Rouge. Dare I say an even better showing than a couple weeks ago. A wine to drink today yet watch for another 10 years easily. — 7 years ago

jarred gild

Head Wine Buyer Western Market

9.6

picture from a few weeks ago, but still on my mind — 8 years ago

with Kyo, Kim and 2 others

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.6

This wine is a stand alone gem. Very difficult to read and closed and may be too light and disappointing right now but that is deceiving. I am collecting these wines and they are ridiculously good with age. Currently available only from Crush or Chambers or Winfield Flynn in New York. I also tasted the 2015 in barrel 3 weeks ago which in the barrel is a flat out 10. The 2014 is chalky and herbaceous very subdued. The power and elegance of this wine is hidden right now almost like a sleeping giant. — 8 years ago

with Lyle

Richard Young

Wine Specialist Christie's

9.6

Twice in two weeks....beautiful Sangiovese — 9 years ago

with Christy

Doctor No

9.1

Mag of Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill. Drank beautifully. Seamless cab, still fairly primary. Medium long finish, moderate acidity. Not overly extracted. In Ligonier a few weeks ago. — 10 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

8.9

Juicy and delicious and very much ready to go. 4 bottles downed in the last 3 weeks pretty much says it all. — 6 years ago

Sara Murrill

9.0

Tastes great after a little aeration! Smooth and dry but not too dry. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Clear rich Crimson in colour. Whiff of wood varnish which blew off. Spicy - not as much pepper as usual. Cherries and supple savoury tannins. Medium bodied. One of my favourite Aussie Reds in the $20 to $30 category. 2nd ranked cuvée to their much vaunted "Langi" Shiraz. Tasted again 54 weeks later with totally consistent notes. Tasted beside Salo Syrah, from the much vaunted Hawkes Bay NZ District for Syrah. I preferred the Langhi. — 7 years ago

Joe Willey

9.4

Delicious. Almost more Syrah like than Sangiovese. — 8 years ago

Marcus Lancaster

9.0

Surprising! A touch of butterscotch quickly followed by Meyer lemon and lime.with chalk. — 8 years ago

Manu Rosier

9.2

Skin contact and "orange" wine. Perfectly matured in barrel for 2-3 weeks... Amazingly crafted — 9 years ago

Tom Land

9.2

Had the same bottle two weeks ago and seemed totally different from what I had tonight — 9 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.6

Open about 6 weeks. Fresh acidity, Brazil nuts, black tea tannins, salty caramel. I fucking love this wine. — 10 years ago

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. — 7 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 8 years ago

Jose Moran

9.3

A few weeks of skin contact. Complex but still young — 8 years ago

Zach Cherry

Account Manager Worldwide Wine & Spirits

9.2

I loved the 2009 I tasted a few weeks ago, this showed how well it will develop. Still young, but I was even more impressed after some maturation. — 9 years ago

Lane Shackleton

Co-Owner Bluebird and Miracle One Wines

9.4

Wasn't drinking for three weeks in January until Meg 'accidentally' opened this bottle... — 9 years ago

Sam Bilbro

Owner/Vineyardist Idlewild Wines

9.7

Acidity, texture, stones, umami, and lemon. Yum. — 11 years ago