Pre-Tasting Lunch (Prairie Grass - Northbrook IL): Tasted double blind. Pineapple, mango, unctuous textures made me think Rhone varietals, heat made me think it New World, reduction made me think Alban. Yeah! Moderate balance but reasonably well balanced and age has been kind here. I enjoyed this more than I typically would enjoy Alban.
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Agree totally with previous tasters. John Alban pushes the limits with his wines and occasionally goes overboard. This one is no different. He takes it to the edge on flavors, any more and it could be over the top. Mouthwatering acidity keeps it all in check. The nose is an incredible adventure itself with sweet cream and tropical notes. An unbelievable concentration of lovely Rousanne aromas!
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As others have said it is typical Alban white-which is a good thing. Rich and full bodied , not overly oaked but oak is there. Might be losing some verbe at thos point but enough acidity to keep up with braised chicken.
All in all a nice bottle but somewhat California chard-like...
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Like the reds, the Alban whites are full-bodied, very rich and ripe (although the whites are not oaky), and this bottle was no exception. It was very aromatic, floral, and on the palate was like the filling in a sweet lemon merengue pie. While many people do not appreciate the style and/or find them overpriced, I like these wines on their own or with richer food, think they are very well made, and offer an unusual drinking experience.
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Suntacular 2011 (FMIII Home): Very interesting wine. If this was served blind in a dark glass I bet everyone would guess it to be red. Fairly weighty wine and a very pronounced incense taste turning to clove at the finish. You'd could pair this with lamb or seafood buried in a a heavy sauce no problem. I liked it more than Chris.
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Wonderful floral notes on the nose with delicious fruit and minerality on the palate with creamy texture and a long finish. Wish I ordered more!! Perfect match with scallops.
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Light straw color. Has legs. Nose ginning hints of blossom, pear, citrus zest. Flavors of petrol/oil, pineapple, citrus, lychee with a touch of honey. Crisp, balanced acidity keeps the luxurious, creamy elements in check. Love this wine
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Tart apple and citrus on the palate. Nose is note very strong with a bit of honey. Color is very light. Strong acidity and minerals, giving the wine a sharpo finish, which is rather long. There's a bit of vanilla in the background but not that much.
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3/4/2024 - leadpencil wrote: 93 Points
Medium to full bodied. Drinking well. Good acidity and fruit.
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4/4/2021 - DFC wrote: 94 Points
Still going strong after all these years...nice acidity and mouth filling flavors. Well done Alban!
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3/10/2018 - ckinv368 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Petrol, pear, earth, slight notes of lychee. Good acidity. So fresh. Delicious effort! 92-93
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10/8/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Pre-Tasting Lunch (Prairie Grass - Northbrook IL): Tasted double blind. Pineapple, mango, unctuous textures made me think Rhone varietals, heat made me think it New World, reduction made me think Alban. Yeah! Moderate balance but reasonably well balanced and age has been kind here. I enjoyed this more than I typically would enjoy Alban.
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2/27/2015 - StevenAndrea Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing. No oxidation. Fresh. Yum.
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9/9/2012 - suburbanfrog wrote: 93 Points
Agree totally with previous tasters. John Alban pushes the limits with his wines and occasionally goes overboard. This one is no different. He takes it to the edge on flavors, any more and it could be over the top. Mouthwatering acidity keeps it all in check. The nose is an incredible adventure itself with sweet cream and tropical notes. An unbelievable concentration of lovely Rousanne aromas!
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8/2/2012 - Stumpy wrote: 92 Points
As others have said it is typical Alban white-which is a good thing. Rich and full bodied , not overly oaked but oak is there. Might be losing some verbe at thos point but enough acidity to keep up with braised chicken.
All in all a nice bottle but somewhat California chard-like...
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9/30/2011 - MJHDC wrote:
Like the reds, the Alban whites are full-bodied, very rich and ripe (although the whites are not oaky), and this bottle was no exception. It was very aromatic, floral, and on the palate was like the filling in a sweet lemon merengue pie. While many people do not appreciate the style and/or find them overpriced, I like these wines on their own or with richer food, think they are very well made, and offer an unusual drinking experience.
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9/13/2011 - Mr T wrote:
good stuff...Sue loved it
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8/6/2011 - brigcampbell wrote:
Suntacular 2011 (FMIII Home): Very interesting wine. If this was served blind in a dark glass I bet everyone would guess it to be red. Fairly weighty wine and a very pronounced incense taste turning to clove at the finish. You'd could pair this with lamb or seafood buried in a a heavy sauce no problem. I liked it more than Chris.
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7/4/2011 - Knicksfan wrote: 95 Points
Spectacular, delicious and wonderful. Complex fruit and solid acid backbone. Grapefruit, pear, apricot, you name it I tasted it.
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2/17/2011 - oski wrote: 96 Points
spectacular, nose is exquisite. Complex nose and outstanding length for a white wine.
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11/27/2010 - pjhr wrote: 95 Points
Wonderful floral notes on the nose with delicious fruit and minerality on the palate with creamy texture and a long finish. Wish I ordered more!! Perfect match with scallops.
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11/27/2010 - Mr T wrote:
I echo the comments of wineholio.....lovely wine that comes close to going over the edge of excess but then comes back with just enough acidiity
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11/19/2010 - ogres3 wrote:
Wife drank. Seems to like these whites. To me whites shouldn't be this expensive but need to buy the Reva.
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9/18/2010 - Wineholio wrote: 92 Points
Light straw color. Has legs. Nose ginning hints of blossom, pear, citrus zest. Flavors of petrol/oil, pineapple, citrus, lychee with a touch of honey. Crisp, balanced acidity keeps the luxurious, creamy elements in check. Love this wine
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9/2/2010 - kris.h wrote: 90 Points
Nice aromas and flavors of tropical and stone fruits. Thick and viscous. A little bit lacking in acidity but not flabby.
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8/15/2010 - buckeye76 wrote: 93 Points
TANGARINES, MELONS, AND CARAMEL IN THE NOSE WITH A FLAVOR TO MATCH. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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8/8/2010 - J @ y H @ c k wrote: 90 Points
Tart apple and citrus on the palate. Nose is note very strong with a bit of honey. Color is very light. Strong acidity and minerals, giving the wine a sharpo finish, which is rather long. There's a bit of vanilla in the background but not that much.
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7/24/2010 - IAMVLAD wrote: 92 Points
excellent. well balanced and refreshing.
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5/29/2010 - JasonG Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very fine, bright acids but perfectly in check.
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4/12/2010 - Melli wrote: 95 Points
This was really exceptional. Thought about waiting a year or two but couldn't resist.
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