2005 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (64) Avg Score: 93.2 points

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  4/6/2023 - BVal wrote: 92 Points

  Last noted 9 years ago on 1/14 -- interested to see if time has been kind to this wine. Opened and tasted on PnP and it seemed pleasant and soft -- all that changed at about the 2 hour mark when the focus turned laser-sharp.
  
  Color/App: translucent, moderately-deep ruby core -> garnet rim; medium ++ viscosity (not a surprise given the 16.8% Etoh). Bouquet showing raspberries and blackberries, road tar, charred brisket burnt ends, graphite and anisette. Palate is fairly soft with most of that alcohol hidden reasonably well. Raspberries and boysenberries, forest floor and earth, creosote and a hint of leather. Finishes a little hot (duh), but I can forgive that given how well this has aged and that it has still held onto considerable core concentration and intensity. Not quite as compelling as the '07 Pegau yesterday, but it's still pretty damn good. I'd say this will last at least a few more years at this level, but don't expect it to scale any further heights.

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  5/12/2021 - Mrbuzz wrote:

  Too much alc heat, disjointed, could plant another vineyard wit the amount of sediment.

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  9/21/2020 - Kevnzworld wrote: 94 Points

  1 hour decant.
  A big wine , almost 17% alcohol.
  A blend of dark berries and stewed tropical fruits. Mango.
  A little over ripe new world for my taste, but.
  It has good balance for a fruit bomb.
  As it opened up more in hour two there’s more secondary flavors.
  It drank well with our dinner, especially the tiramisu at the end. My wife liked it more than I

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  12/19/2019 - Jonathan T Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Still fabulous. The second best Grenache made in North America (after Sine Qua Non). Alban's always get better with age, and I'm glad I waited to open this bottle.

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  12/15/2018 - seijaro Likes this wine: 97 Points

  It took a full 3 hours to open and show its stuff. I was 92-3 at two hours, it had a punky nose and not much character... then blossomed in a rush to the wine I put on my Top 10 list back in 2008. What a treat! This is a Grenache for the books, I'm surprised it is so good at age 14. How long does Grenache age anyway?

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