Por La Vida

9.0

Excellent wine for the price. Full bodied, lots of funk and earth on the nose, medium tannins. Interesting grape that will not be for everyone. But not cookie cutter like many similar American style wines. — 3 days ago

Éric Núñez

9.1

This is Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile from old vines. Dark ruby color. Bright bright black fruit at opening; after an hour aeration, chocolate and oak notes. Big sweet blackberry notes on the pallet with hints of vanilla with finishing notes of dry earthy black tea, smokey even. Strong tannings with a composed finish. Robust wine, bold, strong and complex. A proper cab! — 13 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

With BBQ Chicken & Roasted, Rosemary Potatoes on opening night of the D&S Lounge.

John Alban’s wines remind me most of all the California producers/versions of North Rhone or Côte-Rôtie wines. Côte-Rôtie translates into for us as “Roasted Slope.” I assume that’s why his craft was dubbed as the “Original Rhône Ranger.”

Although this has the roasted characterizations of those wines, this certainly has more ripe, ruby style fruits. Also, more purple & blue fruits.

John’s higher end wines, Reva & Pondora remind me of the a French producer, Rostaing. Those two vineyard productions more closely mimic the Rostaing style.

The Patrina is a good intro into Alban wines. You can tell it is a direct descendant but, for far less money. The others are better but, this carries the best wine value in their line up.

The nose reveals; roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, limestone & volcanic minerals, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender.

The body is; lush, ruby, big and like velvet. The tannins are round but, still pack, chewy, tarry, meaty tannins that are 45-50% resolved. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, will hit a peak in five to seven years. The 2010 Patrina still has room for improvement and will last another 10-15 years. It is simply wine candy. Roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices with just the right amount of palate heat, grilled meats, chestnuts, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, moist clay, limestone & gritty volcanic minerals, dry stone, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, Steeped black tea, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender. The acidity is phat & round. It holds the slightly elevated alcohol level nicely. The finish is excellent & consistent wire to wire. It’s long, ruby, candied fruits with just the right balance of earth that persists endlessly.

Just misses 9.4.

Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 4 days ago

Konstantin

9.1

Great nose is slightly earthy and spicy with dark fruit, especially blueberry and cherry.
The taste is peppery and smoky with earthy cassis and black cherry flavors. Very dark and full body.
— 3 days ago

Jan A

9.2

Domus Aurea "house of gold" single vineyard cabernet sauvignon out of the upper maipo valley. Brownish tawny color is showing first signs of age. Cedar, dry wood on the nose. Purple fruit and black tea leaves on the palate. There is a sense of freshness and also grippy tannins are looming over this wine. Not sure if this will reach the 96RP it scored but well made nevertheless. 2010 vintage — 4 days ago

Sharon B

9.2

Very nice medium bodied wine with a smooth peppery finish. — 4 days ago

Rob Sternthal

9.5

This is about as good as it gets for a Rose. It’s not the cheapest, but I’ve drank a few of these already and it’s hard to keep it in the bottle. Amazingly good on a warm day. So refreshing. The finish is unlike most other roses in the market - smooth and not acidic. @Whetstone Wine Cellars great stuff! — 9 days ago

with Steven and Daniel

Adam Beasley

8.9

Lots of gasoline on the nose but also pure fruit. Consistently over delivers. — 21 days ago

Jason Keefer

9.2

Flavor packs a punch, dry but good mouthfeel, currants, blackberries, rich earth! So yumz and can lay down for many more years! — 19 days ago

with Natasha

"Odedi"

8.9

A pretty ruby in color.

Strong nose of blueberries, black cherries, strawberries, light oak, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, maple, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, pomegranates, cherries, blackberries, wood, spices, tobacco, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium length on the finish with soft tannins and tangy strawberries.

This is probably my first time having Barbera from Lodi, California. Well balanced and interesting with a nice mouthfeel.

I could definitely smell and taste Lodi, but I won't be able to get the Barbera at a blind tasting. Feels like a lighter Zinfandel from Lodi, with more acidity then expected. Definitely has nice acidity for a Lodi red.

Alcohol is high, but not too noticeable. Good by itself or with food. Good for parties too.

Needs an hour to open up properly.

Nice and engaging and easy drinking and a good everyday wine. I paired it with fatty cheeses, almonds and dry fruits.

Mainly Barbera grapes, with a touch of Petite Sirah, were handpicked and aged in French and American oak barrels for 20 months (24% new).

15% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$25. — 11 days ago