Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A striking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: Captivating aromatics jump from the glass with blackberry, stewed plum, black olive brine, truffles, smoked meat, little funky earth. Taste: dark plum/cherry, dark chocolate espresso, smoke, dried herbs and a minerally meaty medium plus finish. YUM!!! — 10 days ago

with Brenda

Brian Hearty

8.9

2007. I asked the sommelier about the 2007 Alban Viognier and he said that he had opened a bottle last week but hadn’t poured any yet. Definitely the color shows some age, but the flavors and aromas were Viognier. — 4 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Great fruit blackberries. Nose is granite and sweet fruit. Palate is blackberry and granite.

Bought from fass selections — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have wanted to do Alban side by side with Rostaing with a 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. — 2 months ago

Mariana Puga

9.3

always yum — 2 months ago

with Raul

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

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. — 2 months ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Fresh and pure Syrah. Great with a chill. — 3 months ago

Jan A

9.7

Really pretty expansive nose. Very round, sweet and warm on the palate. — 5 months 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). — 4 years ago