We tried these last night in my tasting:
8. AlbanVnyd Syrah Lorraine AlbanEstate/EdnaVlly (15.6%) 2001: Very dark/black color w/ no bricking; rather stinky/
sewer gas/reduced/outhouse nose that clears to intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah quite toasty/charred/burnt/oak
slight complex very primary very intense nose; rather tart very strong charred/burnt/smokey/oak intense boysenberry/
blackberry/Syrah/very ripe textured/mouthfilling flavor w/ light/bitey tannins; very long very strong burnt/charred/
toasty/oak intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/very ripe bit complex very primary finish w/ light/angular tannins;
a classic intense/extracted Alban Syrah that has yrs to go.
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9. AlbanVnyd Pandora Seymour'sVnyd/EdnaVlly (15.9%; Grenache/Syrah) 2001: Very dark/near black color w/ no bricking;
some reduced/ozone/sewer gas nose clears to rather Grenache/boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/peppery strong smokey/
charred/burnt/oak more fragrant/perfumed/slightly brighter more complex nose; very strong charred/burnt/oak very
strong Grenache/strawberry/boysenberry/Syrah/blackberry fairly tart some complex flavor w/ light/gentle tannins;
very long strong charred/burnt/toasty/smokey/oak intense Grenache/strawberry/boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah rich/
textured finish w/ light/smooth tannins; very much like the Syrahs but a bit brighter fruit from the Grenache;
still very primary and not much complexity developed; tannins are fully resolved.
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10. AlbanVnyd Syrah Seymour'sVnyd/EdnaVlly (15.8%) 2001: Black color w/ no bricking; very strong ozone/reduced/
sewer gas/diaper pail nose clears to very intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/roasted meats very strong charred/
burnt/toasty/oak rather pungent/licorice/peppery some complex nose; very intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/
framboise/licorice/peppery very strong burnt/charred/oak bit complex flavor w/ some smooth/ripe tannins; very long/
lingering strong burnt/charred/oak/smokey very intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/peppery/licorice/smoked meats
bit complex finish w/ some smooth/ripe tannins; much like the Lorraine but much more interesting and not the sharp/
bitey tannins; still very primary and yrs to go.
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Stuff from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Albans: These three wines were from my orphan stash lost in my garage for over 10 yrs under miserable/dreadful
storage conditions, standing upright. The corks in them were all sound, tight, and came out w/ a struggle using
my Ah-So. The wines show no signs whatsoever of oxidation or overheating and were still very/very primary. All
three showed the classic Alban highly reduced stink upon opening, but soon cleared in the glass.
These wines are progressing at a glacial pace, still very primary overripe fruit, and not a whole lot of
complexity developing, even though the tannins seem pretty resolved. These are the kind of wines that leave me
(and certain Monktown attourneys) shaking my head and wondering "what hath John wrought?". It may very well be that
these wines may ever develop that complexity one desires in old Syrahs. These may very well go to their grave
still being very primary wines. I think back to the Qupe Hillside Syrah '01 I had not so long ago. That wine could
not hold a candle to these Albans in the intensity arena. But it showed way/way more balance and complexity than
these Albans ever will and was vastly more of a pleasure to drink, not to mention one 3'rd the cost. I guess I
hold no regrets for being dumped from the Alban mailing list. I can find more Syrah pleasure elsewhere.
Tom
