2000 Alban Vineyards, Seymour’s Vineyard Syrah, Edna Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 90

Opaque ruby-purple. Superripe, almost porty aromas of kirsch, black licorice and baking chocolate. Densely packed, superripe and a bit high-toned, with creamy, sweet flavors of baked fruits and violet. Ultimately quite seamless and even rather elegant. Finishes slightly aggressive, with a note of hot stones. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/05/2003]

Robert Parker 96

The luxury cuvee of 2000 Syrah Seymour’s Vineyard (named after John Alban’s father) is a Syrah on steroids. A bottle left open for two weeks revealed no signs of oxidation. Amazing! The inky/blue/purple color is followed by a wine reminiscent of dry vintage port. Notes of scorched earth, blackberry liqueur, and asphalt are presented in an unctuous, thick, chewy style with marvelous extract and multiple dimensions. This is a tour de force in winemaking, and certainly any Rhone Ranger aficionado should be beating a path to Alban Vineyards to get a bottle or two of this elixir. Tel. (805) 546-0305 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 08/23/2003]

Anticipated maturity: 2002-2017