2005 Alban Syrah Lorraine Estate
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Vivid purple. Extremely complex aromas of black raspberry, cassis, smoky minerals and dried flowers, with a building note of cured meat. Broad, sappy and gently sweet, offering succulent dark berry flavors and a kick of bracing minerality. The smoky note comes on strong on the extremely long, spicy, sweet finish. This wine was bottled after 42 months in barrel.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(scheduled to be bottled in December 2008) Bright purple. Hugely aromatic nose shows full-blown red and dark berry scents, with zesty minerality adding lift. Deep and strikingly sweet, with lush raspberry and bitter cherry pit flavors framed by silky tannins. Finishes with outstanding persistence and vivid red fruit preserve flavors. Very, very impressive.
An absolutely monumental wine is the 2005 Syrah Lorraine Vineyard. The finest Syrah John Alban has yet produced, its inky/ruby/purple hue is accompanied by gorgeously sweet aromas of flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries, and subtle hints of smoky oak, bacon fat, and licorice. In the mouth, the wine is seamlessly constructed with fabulous fruit, brilliant concentration, and virtually perfect balance. Moreover, the finish lingers on the palate for over 60 seconds. It should drink beautifully for 15 or more years. Tel. (805) 546-0305; Fax (805) 546-9879