Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah

Nice flavors of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, savory meats, cracked pepper, bacon fat, dried blood, dry herbs, mushrooms, saddle-wood, loamy soils, dark florals, round acidity and beautiful, round, elegant finish. It’s in a great part of it’s drinking window.

Reviewed this a few weeks ago. It's in it's prime drinking window. Simply delicious with excellent; balance, structure, tension and length. Just heaven in the mouth. Brought it to our friends house for dinner. If she wanted to own her own restaurant or work as a chef, she would receive at least a one star from the Michelin Guide. I thought this would pair well with her Hungarian Rustic Chicken Paprikas. They were not great together, they were Heaven.

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.

Magnum. This was superb and with so much fruit and silkiness it really was showing perfectly for this type of party.

In its prime. Presences without question. Plum, currant and black pepper. Tannins and acid are super supple. Drink now. Has a background of warm granite and bay leaf that round out the finish.

Huge frame, smooth and rich now.

Great youthful wine!
Up there with SQN in quality without you having to take out a second mortgage....
Drink 2020+

Good but was expecting more.

Really hitting it's peak. This Syrah has finally shed it's baby fat and entering it's mature phase. Classic Alban on the nose. One of the last vintages of Reva I really liked.

Disjointed. Cherry licorice cough syrup. Pepper.