Community Tasting Notes 5

• seijaro wrote:

  July 28, 2023 - I'm not scoring it because I think it was not a typical bottle, certainly not the killer others got. It was big and flavorful, a monster Syrah, but there was an underlying sourness that spoiled it for us. Tried it after an hour of air, then two hours, it didn't get any better. We have had previous vintages of Lorraine and loved them but this was a real disappointment.

  Comment

• RhoneWho wrote: 100 points

  April 14, 2022 - After finding 2016 Reva fantastic to drink, I can't resist to taste both 2016 Lorraine and Seymour today!
  
  Wow! Lorraine is one of the most concentrated syrah yet approachable I had for a long long time. The moment this pours out the floral notes and ripe fruit aromatic is indulging and can't be more different from Seymour's profile. Lorraine is seducing to sip and kiss and following with another sip and kiss!
  
  The richness of fruit and flavor masked/carried the baby fat (youthful acidity). I thought it resembles a great top Cote Rotie given the "femine" profile polished by viognier. No! This is a 100% syrah. Hat's off to Alban team! I gather it could be the chalky soil resulting such great profile. The tannin and acidity is ultra fine and polished!
  
  Lorraine can be enjoyed by itself without needing food pairing. The flavor profile has both Northern Rhone of meaty + white pepper and California's rich ripe black berry fruit. It finishes with lingering chocolaty notes and berry compote. The texture is silky with high viscosity. What a seamless wine!
  
  Lorraine is an opulent wine and a special treat! The concentration is significantly richer than Reva and could justify the twice of price. A unicorn.
  
  Rating 98-100; 99+ ... not doubt it will be a perfect wine!

  Comment

• RCS73 wrote: 94 points

  November 3, 2021 - Couldn't resist trying one of these last night.
  
  Nose was fairly undeveloped at this point
  
  Unique flavor palate unfolded over time; with secondary and tertiary flavors coming through after a couple of hours
  
  Very smooth, not astringent or tannic at all
  
  Needs time

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• ddamron wrote: 100 points

  October 6, 2021 - Pulled the 2016 Alban Lorraine Syrah tonight to pair with chicken wings and my Cowboys game. All three were winners. The wine was gorgeous from first pour. Megan thought it a bit tight but the lush creme de cassis on the palate forgave that from my point of view as it was a pure luxury velvety mouthfeel. Complex black fruit notes with the nuance of layers upon layers that won’t quit and a minute long finish. It’s the kinda wine that makes you just feel better about yourself and feel blessed this was a casual pull. I thought infanticide when I opened this but maybe it can achieve 102 points in the future?! Right now it’s perfect. -DD100

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• pakabear Likes this wine:

  March 26, 2021 - Too young to rate. First day was intense in aroma, less so on the palate and quite thin, second day gained a lot of body, crazy dark red and black fruit with massive licorice and baking spice component.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

Pro Reviews 3

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2016
• Type Red
• Producer Alban Vineyards
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation Lorraine
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Central Coast
• Appellation Edna Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 8 (2%)
• In Cellars 350 (83%)
• Consumed 64 (15%)

Food Pairing

Who Likes This Wine

More About This Wine