Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

This happens to be outstanding. Fantastic Gamay from a unique appellation. Tastes more like a perfectly aged Burgh. At 25$ a ridiculous value. Cherry, touch blackberry, hint black tea, soft tannins and mouth feel. If this is still available - I will go back and buy more (rare for me). San Diego Wine Company. — 19 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2019 vintage. Last tasted 08.19.23 (9.5). Still medium heavy-heavy bod. Plushy nose, aggressively undying flavors and brick + mortar structure. Comparable to what it must have been like to see Mozart live back in that day. Confusing. Pure. Beyond mortal comprehension. "It's getting better all the time." 03.08.25. — 2 months ago

DelectableWino

9.3

Lovely French chard that spends half stainless half new French oak. Complex flavors. On the drier side — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is my belief & I don’t think I am far from the mark that Alban profiled their wines from Rostaing. Rostaing started in 1971 & Alban in 1985.

Both have the roasted slope & roasted chestnut profile. The Alban is a better single terroir than the old world 7-8 vineyard blend of the Rostaing Ampodium. It’s riper & beefier. The fruits are roasted & ripe. The length, balance, tension & length are near its peak.

The nose reveals; roasted chestnuts, stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender.

The palate is; gorgeous, sexy, rich, lush & in perfect form. Roasted chestnuts. Stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark heated spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender. In perfect form. Tannins are rounded, sweetly tarry. The acidity is perfect. The finish is very round & new world. It is a perfect balance of fruit & earth. It glides on the palate & persists endlessly.

Paired with the Cardiff Chipotle Tri-tip. The best Tri-tip we’ve had. You can order at CardiffCrack.com. Not inexpensive though. The best never is!

Photos of; John Alban, two of their single vineyards and their barrel room. — 5 years ago

with James and Christina

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Equally enjoyable on both nights however, the nose was most powerful on Day 1. “Ampodium” (formerly Classique) is 100% Syrah sourced from a dozen or so vineyards and made in a largely traditional style; plenty of whole cluster and a very judicious use of new French oak. The 2010 “Ampodium”pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, some desiccated and some tart, black and blue fruits: blackberries, blueberry pie, fields of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, iodine, and granite earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with rocky minerals. Totally in balance and at peak. Lovely. Drink now through 2035. — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2019 vintage. Last tasted 07.30.23 (9.5). Good lord. This is still (unsurprisingly) effing ridiculous. Explosive and giving without being compliant. Every time tasting this, attempt to renounce Cabernet Sauvignon/BDX blends forever. Hopefully someday, I'll make it stick. 02.28.25. — 2 months ago

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.0

50% Grenache blanc, 35% Rolle (vermentino), 15% viognier and no oak! A masterpiece of fruits and personality. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 1 and 2. The 2017 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and blue fruits; blackberries, black cherry, fig, purple flowers, black pepper, dried herbs, a touch of licorice and mix of organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. FWIW, I opened this after a 2010 Rostaing “Ampodium” and the School House showed pretty well. Drink now through 2032. — 7 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. Heavy body. Dark fruited nose. Big mouthfeel and super smooth. Eerily similar textures to recently tasted 2019 Rostaing La Landonne (9.6) and 2019 Côte Blonde (9.5) Côte-Rôties. If you're a syrah fan, you owe it to yourself to taste this at some point. 03.14.25. — 2 months ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

9.0

A Northern Rhône take on a Southern Rhône blend - less stewed fruit, more floral and herbal and nuance. Lovely. — 4 years ago