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Alban Vineyards Patrina Alban Estate Syrah 2011
Brand new Syrah release from John Alban - limited 93 Points Robert Parker: "The entry level 2011 Syrah Patrina is a beautiful effort that’s a great intro into the style of wines made by John. Its inky purple color is followed by almost cool climate-like aromas and flavors of black cherries, white pepper, bacon and hints of game. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless and silky Syrah that really shows the cooler nature of the vintage. It should drink nicely for at least 3-5 years, probably longer...This is another incredible lineup by Rhone superstar John Alban. For the life of me, I can’t understand why no one else in the Edna Valley tries to make wine anywhere close to this level of quality." Brix26 Inside Scoop: Intermittently, Alban Vineyards produced a 'Central Coast Syrah' which was never predictable in either when it was made or its quantity but was always tremendously popular. With each sporadic release, it became undeniable that lots of people wanted this wine. Likewise, it became painfully clear to Alban that without control of the vineyards from which this wine would derive, nothing about it would ever be reliable. In 2005, Alban discontinued purchasing grapes for the Central Coast Syrah to develop his own vineyards and the 2010 is the third vintage of this new wine, Alban 'Patrina' Syrah.
Ratings on Delectable
David T 
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Second bottle of this wine & vintage in the last month or two. Of all the CA Syrah producers, I think Alban comes the closest to the true style of Northern Rhône and certainly one of my favorite producers of Syrah out of CA. The nose reveals; creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, softened leather, touch of dry herbs, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets. The body is round, ruby, lush, rich and full. The structure, length, tension and balance are rounded in harmony. The wine is seamless wire to wire. Creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, strawberries & cherries that start on the mid palate some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dark spice w/ some lifting heat, touch of dry herbs, tarry notes, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets. The acidity is round and excellent. The long, elegant, well balanced finish goes on for minutes. While Alban makes many excellent single Vineyard Syrah’s like; Reva, Lorraine & Seymour, which are much more expensive, I am happy to enjoy Patrina for much less money. The QPR for Patrina is superior to their other more expensive bottling’s with far less drop in wine quality vs. the price difference. Photos of, their Reva Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, John Alban, their barrel room and the beautiful fruit they grow ready for harvest.
Second bottle of this wine & vintage in the last month or two. Of all the CA Syrah producers, I think Alban comes the closest to the true style of Northern Rhône and certainly one of my favorite producers of Syrah out of CA. The nose reveals; creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, softened leather, touch of dry herbs, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets. The body is round, ruby, lush, rich and full. The structure, length, tension and balance are rounded in harmony. The wine is seamless wire to wire. Creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, strawberries & cherries that start on the mid palate some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dark spice w/ some lifting heat, touch of dry herbs, tarry notes, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets. The acidity is round and excellent. The long, elegant, well balanced finish goes on for minutes. While Alban makes many excellent single Vineyard Syrah’s like; Reva, Lorraine & Seymour, which are much more expensive, I am happy to enjoy Patrina for much less money. The QPR for Patrina is superior to their other more expensive bottling’s with far less drop in wine quality vs. the price difference. Photos of, their Reva Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, John Alban, their barrel room and the beautiful fruit they grow ready for harvest.
9.3David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Alban Vineyards, the original Rhône Ranger. Of all the CA producers that try to emulate the Rhône style, I believe, Alban Vineyards emulate it best! On the nose; ripe fruits of mixed berries, savory meats, pork & bacon fat. Mocha, dusty dry brown top soil, powdery volcanic minerals, dry underbrush, vanilla, cherry/raspberry cola, dark, rich black soil, beautiful spice, fresh red & dark florals. The body is medium to full, round & ripe. Tannins are nicely soften with plenty of life ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries, plum, boysenberries & some blue fruits. Savory meats, pork, bacon fat, dry brush, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, cola, some dark moist soil, limestone, some black licorice, touch of spice & black pepper, red & dark florals with violets, great round acidity and a rich, round, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts & lasts. Photos of, the Patrina Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker-John Alban, nice Syrah fruit bunch and their barrel room.
Alban Vineyards, the original Rhône Ranger. Of all the CA producers that try to emulate the Rhône style, I believe, Alban Vineyards emulate it best! On the nose; ripe fruits of mixed berries, savory meats, pork & bacon fat. Mocha, dusty dry brown top soil, powdery volcanic minerals, dry underbrush, vanilla, cherry/raspberry cola, dark, rich black soil, beautiful spice, fresh red & dark florals. The body is medium to full, round & ripe. Tannins are nicely soften with plenty of life ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries, plum, boysenberries & some blue fruits. Savory meats, pork, bacon fat, dry brush, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, cola, some dark moist soil, limestone, some black licorice, touch of spice & black pepper, red & dark florals with violets, great round acidity and a rich, round, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts & lasts. Photos of, the Patrina Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker-John Alban, nice Syrah fruit bunch and their barrel room.
9.3
Susan Lin
Business Development Belmont Wine Exchange, WSET Diploma candidate
Displaying the best of Old and New Worlds, this robust, earthy, meaty, yet very juicy, dark fruit-driven Syrah is delightful. A tinge of smoke and pepper rounded this 2011 vintage Syrah nicely.
Displaying the best of Old and New Worlds, this robust, earthy, meaty, yet very juicy, dark fruit-driven Syrah is delightful. A tinge of smoke and pepper rounded this 2011 vintage Syrah nicely.
9.3
Kevin Hinchman
Just beautiful. Voluptuous and graceful, spicy black fruit, great minerality.
Just beautiful. Voluptuous and graceful, spicy black fruit, great minerality.
9.3Matt Ryan
Hospitality Director Big Basin Vineyards
Nice intro to the vintage and producer.
Nice intro to the vintage and producer.
Michael Kilgore
A Rhone Ranger. Nice, but really needs to breathe. Great with the steak! Betcha it could age for quite a wile.
A Rhone Ranger. Nice, but really needs to breathe. Great with the steak! Betcha it could age for quite a wile.
9.0
Dave Kluz
Bright fruit, intensity, funk and earth. Cedar and minerals.
Bright fruit, intensity, funk and earth. Cedar and minerals.
9.3
YNlover
Cut restaurant. Great w steak
Cut restaurant. Great w steak
9.1
Ryan Johnson
Very impressed, white pepper and high acid #syrah
Very impressed, white pepper and high acid #syrah
9.1
Cady Staats Stone
Awesome and so fun
Awesome and so fun
9.6
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