Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Gorgeous clay-like nose. Juicy and dense, with insane tannin management, gorgeous granite, acidity, velvet texture, freshness and unreal energy. So, so sick. — 6 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.8

Beautiful wine. Tasting outstanding. Dark purple fruits and berries, olive brine, dried flowers, cured meat. Its dry lingering finish of fruit and olive just lingers. This is great with 3 hours of air. So glad to have gotten this bottle. Rhone ranger!!! Probably has another 5+ years of evolution in it, maybe more. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have wanted to do this producer side by side with Alban with well seasoned Tri-tip. Tonight is the night.

The crowd that leans California liked the French better.

I have always thought Alban in the new world mimicked Rostaing’s style.

Both phenomenal and I enjoyed both for slightly different climate & soil reasons.

These two producers do Syrah without the heavy smoked meats & bacon fat of say Cayuse. — 10 months ago

Jim McCusker

10

Had this last weekend. Absolutely stunning - probably in my Top 10 ever. — 5 years ago

with Vanessa

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Delicious. Alban clone Syrah grown in cool climate Santa Lucia hands farmed by the ever capable Mark Pisoni and made by his equally astute brother Jeff. Awesome. Cote rotie like and fashionable! Deeeeep and dark but exudes elegance at the same time. — 5 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.2

Amazing how well it’s held up. Recommend a decant it was waaaaaaay better after open for 90 minutes. Oak shows prominently at first especially on the nose but integrates with air to reveal pretty apricot flavors and even some floral notes. Just awesome. — 6 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

First time having this one, never heard of this bottling 🤷🏼‍♂️ just as good as Reva
$45.00😬 — 6 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.7

15.9% needed 1.25 hours decant — 23 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2022 vintage. The smallest estate in Saint-Julien ( 0,85 hectares),founded in 1961 by André Leclerc. André was also the winemaker at Léoville Barton, and he was allowed to make his wine there. Today, wine is made as a hobby by his family and their friends, many of them working for famous Saint-Julien Crus classés. The old vines are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with 25% of Merlot. The 2022 is an impressive, classic Saint-Julien. Deep, dark red colour. Cassis, blackberries, and the most subtle touch of oak. Concentrated black fruits, embedded in a structure of ripe tannins, and good acidity. The winemaker of Beychevelle , Philippe Blanc helps out with the blending. A hidden gem ! — 3 months ago

Vino Joe

9.1

Quality Viognier. Powerful aromatics and decent complexity. Length and depth. I will definitely look for this again — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.4

For planning purposes of something in the future, I tasted 2014 central coast Syrahs from high end producers blind. Along with the Lillian (my bottle), there was SQN, Andremily, Torrin Akasha, Booker Fracture, Alban Reva and Alban Lorraine.

First off, I love these wines. The price in comparison to the others is impressive, and it always delivers. I double decanted this about two hours prior to the blind tasting. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, cherry jerky and that kiss of sweet oak. The palate remained the same from opening through the end of the blind tasting…a distinctly fuzzy profile on the palate with gorgeous mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice. It toes the line between cool climate Syrah with their signature black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate. No rush on opening, but it sure is great now.

Out of the 7 in the lineup, this was the “cheapest”, and tied for 3rd place (with the Andremily being the runaway favorite, Alban Lorraine taking second, and this tying the SQN). — 5 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Citrus, stones, texture. — 6 years ago

Jon Robinson

9.5

Wow has this aged nicely. The fruits is settling down and the terror is really coming thru. The depth and complexity are quite beautiful. As to the 15%+ alcohol it is not noted on the nose or palate. Surprisingly no heat at all.
Delicious — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Beautiful CA Syrah that mimics North Rhône well. This 18 needs another 5 yrs.

Beautiful fruits, black fruits, roasted chestnuts, smoked meats, round acidity and rich, well polished finish. Reminds me of many Rostaing’s I’ve had. — 2 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.8

Seymours is my favorite Alban. Never disappoints.This needs another 5 years at least, but will last much longer

Jebs 98 point review The 2014 Seymour's comes from a higher elevation site that’s hammered by the winds off the Pacific Ocean. Classic Seymour’s all the way with its huge nose of black fruits, tobacco, ground pepper, crushed rocks, and ample meatiness, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. While the Seymour’s is always the most backward and austere of the three single-vineyard Syrahs, the forward nature of the 2014 vintage shows in the wine’s texture and slightly more charming, forward character. Nevertheless, this brilliant Syrah will cruise for 20+ years in cold cellars.@Somm David T — 8 months ago

with Ron

Simon Weston

9.0

Solid vintage, inky purple color, blackberry, leather & pepper on the nose and dark fruits and leather to taste. Delicious! — 4 years ago

J Levenson

9.1

Terrific and only $25. A SommSelect choice. — 5 years ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.9

Sharp pungent aromas with lemon, pineapple, and oyster brine. The same notes come through on the palette with orange notes and a little bit of floral. — 5 years ago

Greg

9.5

An experience wine to know, love and appreciate the history and genius of Bob Lindquist in birthing Santa Barbara/Central Coast as one of the great wine regions of the world. Here is proof. At 22 years young, a revelation in ageable Rousanne From Alban vineyard. Reduced with some matchstick, the fruit is mostly cider apples, but the long oak toast and yeasty, buttery golden color and honeyed deliciousness make this a wine to remember. Most will dismiss it as lightly oxidized, nutty or flat. But, there is charm and intrigue and the right pairing will entrance those who love wines from Jurancon and appreciate aged whites.
Glad I have more to share in the years to come. — 6 years ago

Paco Suro

8.9

Still got it. — 6 years ago