Aaron Tan

9.0

Another blind I found tiring to drink and impossible to identify in my current state. In hindsight, the latter makes sense given the Todos is always a kitchen sink blend (50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Viognier, 1% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Sémillon) - the structure would expectedly be quite misleading. In any case, credit where credit is due, I still did identify the wine to be a new world red blend. The fruit was just too clean and concentrated to be from the old world, which was just plain glaring in a blind line-up of mostly Rioja's. Plus, you can definitely feel the alcohol here. Heaps of black fruits, with some blue fruits thrown in the mix, along with earth, meat and five-spice powder framing the fruit. The tannin structure was all over the place - medium-to-high levels, which started on the front of the palate and ended in the gums. Again, I thought it might have been a Cabernet-dominated blend with that sense of structural hollowness in the mid-palate, but the fruit just kept piling in (definitely a blend!). Unfortunately, I didn't detect any of the floral or peppery notes that I relate to Syrah (which dominates this blend), so I definitely could not have called that. Whether that's to do with my tasting capacity or the fact that the wine has yet to open up when I tasted, that requires further study although I can't say I'd like to. It's just too tiring to drink, despite it's distinct complexity in the line-up. WOTN for a few in the group. — 3 years ago

Mark Lindzy

10

I love the beers of 5 Rabbit, and this gets a 10 simply for the message. Originally made for the bar at Trump Tower in Chicago, they broke the contract after his racism became apparent.

A very well made and well-balanced blonde ale, although the name may have changed to reflect their new viewpoint. #chingatupelo — 8 years ago

Ashlee Howarth

9.0

Beer beer beer — 9 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Perfect hue for the Golden state. Nose is honey, cucumber and something funky. Maybe ‘pool toy’? Flavors are luscious. Streaks of acid and bitterness pair perfectly with the melon, apricots, yellow plums and honeysuckle. Pretty round in the mouth. It’s a fragrant and tasty CA Viognier. Hasn’t lost any freshness 5 years on. And it’s SIP Certified Sustainable to boot. — 4 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

David Kline

9.0

Apple, pineapple, mango chutney, cloved oranges, lemon oil, orange cola in the schnozzola, lighter on the palate though, supple and round, the figs just a veil. Fungal earth that shows off the underbelly. #5rabbits #wheatbeer #dankbeer — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Shay A

9.3

Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility!

I’ve been fortunate to try a few Jonata wines over the last few months and I am a believer. They have all been absolutely killer. This Syrah is so young. It was only open 30mins and it needed another few hours. Meaty...beef jerky mainly. Small bit of iron, but not as much as WA state Syrahs. Mid palate was large and in charge, with a fruit forward finish. Will be awesome in 5-7yrs! — 7 years ago

with Mark

Heather Doyle Meyer

9.4

Absolutely delicious- more please. Depth yet light and pineapple in the nicest way - I got it for a steal $6 — 8 years ago

TheSkip

9.3

This wine needs to be the official state of wine of my beloved Maine! Incredible nose. Totally intoxicating. Like fresh blueberry pie. The palate is similar with clove and blackberry mixed with blueberry. A touch more complexity on palate would have pushed this over the top. Firm and structured tannins. Would love to see what 5 years brings from this bottle. From what I can tell, this is only second vintage. — 8 years ago