May 13, 2020 - As expected, past it's prime, but still interesting and impressive to see a high alcohol Grenache go 17 years.
January 19, 2019 - 8th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid - A Month Late (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Things were more than foggy at this point and I don't remember even opening this. In the morning when I saw this in the lineup, I was just thankful it wasn't the 2013. I've had the 2003 about five years ago and I was told this was just as good this time as last
March 14, 2017 - Beautiful candy/floral aromas with a little smokiness as well, you can't help sticking your nose as far as you can in the glass and inhaling obnoxiously. Similar flavors on the palate- somewhat explosive red and dark semi-candied fruit without tasting fake as many Grenache wines of this style do, or being too weighty, because it has great acid and savoriness. medium-long finish. I wouldn't wait longer as I'd worry its voluptuousness would fade without complexity taking its place. Could be wrong on that though.
March 11, 2017 - Great aromatics ... beautiful wine ... fair amount of sediment -- stand up for at a day or more and decant carefully. One flaw -- deceptively high alcohol level.
October 26, 2015 - Smooth as silk. Very flavorful. In a good place. Lovely fruit and pepper/spice but mellow.
January 10, 2015 - Wow. Decanted for 3 hours. Simply gorgeous wine.
October 4, 2014 - Definitely the wine of the night! High alcohol completely concealed by elegance and balance. Mixed berry fruits, red and dark, with a hint of earth and menthol. This wine is no where near fading. Rather, it might continue to improve with time.
March 21, 2014 - A beautiful wine, unlike anything I have ever experienced. Nose was a little candy-ish. Others stated it had a nose of a plastic pool toys. The palate was as complex of a wine that I have ever tasted. Menthol, Candy, with much more Grenache profiles than Syrah. The last taste was totally different than the first. I can not wait to try the 2005!
December 29, 2011 - Solid solid effort from the Alban crew. this Syrah - Grenache is one of the few wines where I was able to 'think' Grenache, and boom I smell and taste Grenache, and I "think' Syrah and boom I smell and taste Syrah. By no means is this wine unbalanced, but drinks like a double helix of pleasure. Truly a vin de plaisir in the best sort of regard. Undecanted. Opened for Christmas Eve dinner. Paired so well with Honeybaked Ham. from the Grenache you get all the kirschwasser, and deep bright cherry aromas with all of the dark fruit earthy grounding aromas of the Syrah. Dark opaque color that has screams unfined/unfiltered with its particle suspension. On the palette, the wine remains sublime with fruit and doesn't show heat. These wines defy classification and profiling. You need to just taste one over a few hours/days and you will totally understand how unique a wine like this is. Delicious.
June 17, 2011 - with brisket sliders, exotic with lingering finish. sublime