Alban Vineyards
Patrina Alban Estate Syrah
Edna Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
The best welcome back wine I could imagine after 40+ days of lent detox. This 9 year old Patrina filled the room with big plush purple Syrah goodness. It’s not a monster... it’s a controlled athlete that packs a wallop! The Mohammed Ali of wine. I’m looking for another 2012...
The best welcome back wine I could imagine after 40+ days of lent detox. This 9 year old Patrina filled the room with big plush purple Syrah goodness. It’s not a monster... it’s a controlled athlete that packs a wallop! The Mohammed Ali of wine. I’m looking for another 2012...
Apr 7th, 2021
Opened this to put the kibosh on Alabama. And it smells like it just might have those powers. Founded by John Alban in 1989, Alban Vineyards is the first American winery and vineyard established exclusively for Rhône varietals. Jeb Dunnuck said “One of the best entry-level wines out there is John's 2012 Syrah Patrina, and it competes with many top cuvees.” I wholeheartedly agree. Patrin is a gypsy word for leaf and grass blades. By mounding up patrin in specific configurations called Patrina, Gypsies mark secret trails that kinsmen can follow to special gathering places. Patrina guide these nomads to the site of what starts out as a simple get together underscored with wine and song. These bohemian celebrations of nothing in particular inevitably escalate with great abandon into wildly hedonistic carousing.
Aromatically virile. Intense aromas of black raspberry and kirsch, star anise, white flowers, violets, pepper, and baking spices. The palate is equally potent and sports a black fruit infused with red fruit character. The lush and ripe fruit is buttressed by layers of licorice, lavender pastille, chocolate, and cured meats. An all-time favorite of mine.
Opened this to put the kibosh on Alabama. And it smells like it just might have those powers. Founded by John Alban in 1989, Alban Vineyards is the first American winery and vineyard established exclusively for Rhône varietals. Jeb Dunnuck said “One of the best entry-level wines out there is John's 2012 Syrah Patrina, and it competes with many top cuvees.” I wholeheartedly agree. Patrin is a gypsy word for leaf and grass blades. By mounding up patrin in specific configurations called Patrina, Gypsies mark secret trails that kinsmen can follow to special gathering places. Patrina guide these nomads to the site of what starts out as a simple get together underscored with wine and song. These bohemian celebrations of nothing in particular inevitably escalate with great abandon into wildly hedonistic carousing.
Aromatically virile. Intense aromas of black raspberry and kirsch, star anise, white flowers, violets, pepper, and baking spices. The palate is equally potent and sports a black fruit infused with red fruit character. The lush and ripe fruit is buttressed by layers of licorice, lavender pastille, chocolate, and cured meats. An all-time favorite of mine.
15.4% alc.
Another great wine from John Alban and Glenn Skrabanik.
15.4% alc.
Another great wine from John Alban and Glenn Skrabanik.
Not my favorite from Alban- somewhat over ripe with heavy hand on barrels.
Not my favorite from Alban- somewhat over ripe with heavy hand on barrels.
Nov 12th, 2015
Much better than the '11. Classic Alban minus the good funk you get from Reva, Lorraine and Seymours. Classic Syrah - raspberry, charred earth, blueberries, blackberry, great acidity, long finish. Nice!
Much better than the '11. Classic Alban minus the good funk you get from Reva, Lorraine and Seymours. Classic Syrah - raspberry, charred earth, blueberries, blackberry, great acidity, long finish. Nice!
Apr 17th, 2015Big boy wine. Ripe, yet balanced. This wine will make you slap your mommy!
Big boy wine. Ripe, yet balanced. This wine will make you slap your mommy!
Feb 26th, 2015Very good with prime tenderloin. Some cherry bouquet. Missed the pepper signature of Syrah.
Very good with prime tenderloin. Some cherry bouquet. Missed the pepper signature of Syrah.
May 31st, 2020