Liz O'Neal

9.2

GORGEOUS Chardonnay. Round light feel but crisp finish - didn’t overwhelm the omakase. I don’t know if it’s aged in stainless steel or concrete (my guess) — or neutral oak. No oak flavors at all. Love love love — a year ago

Nicolas Haunold

10

Proportionally funky @Luis Briones — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The 2013 ‘Memory Found’ Syrah is a head-turning and seductive release from the incredibly talented winemaker, Matt Reynvaan. On the nose this shows massive range, from Hoisin sauce to peat moss to wet stone and citrus rind to brandied dark cherries all taking shape beautifully in the glass. Despite its age and the heat of the vintage, this is lithe and youthful, showing a wonderful combination of tension and purity. Flavors of pipe tobacco, chocolate covered dark cherries, roasted figs, wet stones, blood orange zest and umami all marvelously combine. The salinity of the wine also adds wonderful appeal, as this shows remarkable complexity and range, through the finish. Overall, this is a stunning Syrah that will be best enjoyed within the next five to ten years. — 5 years ago

Christopher Losa

Owner/Wine Director Bar Bambino

9.2

damn we’re on a cool new shit roll with fresh CA juice. — 6 years ago

Doggfather

9.5

Absolutely dynamite! Smooth and complex for a field blend — 2 years 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 years ago

Mary Christoph

9.5

Love love love this, especially with food! — 3 years ago

Mary Christoph

9.8

Excellent! — 3 years ago

Shane Lennon

9.3

Good salinity, fun and fruity but also good minerality — 5 years ago

Christopher Losa

Owner/Wine Director Bar Bambino

8.9

love this take on Sauv Blanc. has all the mineral and citrus with a more complex and interesting nose. nice weight to this wine too, striking a balance of viscous and lean, clean. — 6 years ago