2016 Alban Syrah Patrina Estate
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Ripe black and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with suggestions of olive and cracked pepper. Palate-coating black currant, bitter cherry and dark chocolate flavors become livelier and sweeter with air. Smooth, slow-building tannins frame a very long, penetrating finish that leaves juicy dark berry preserve notes behind. This is one impressive entry-level bottling – but then again, this is Alban.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Syrah Patrina, made of 100% Syrah, has a deep ruby-purple color. The nose opens slowly—and it's worth the wait—opening to very pure aromas of wild blackberries, crushed black cherries, mint leaves, brewed coffee, cracked pepper and violets, giving up more and more nuances with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied and intense but equally fresh and lifted, finishing very long. This is still youthfully wound, and I expect it may get even better with a few years in bottle.
The 2016 Patrina is a rock star and readers looking for an introduction into the Alban style should snatch it up. Blueberries, red plums, crushed flowers, and violets notes all give to a full-bodied, pure, beautifully balanced red that has silky tannins and a great finish. It’s a screaming value, and the good news is that there are 1,600 cases produced.
The only 2016 red I was able to taste, the 2016 Patrina is another beautiful, elegant wine that has classic Alban depth and richness as well as notes of crème de cassis, smoked meats, iodine, and hints of bacon fat. Unfortunately, quantities are down 50% due to berry shrivel, yet the wine is a stunning, full-bodied, silky Syrah that will drink beautifully for a decade. This was another brilliant tasting with California Rhône pioneer John Alban. The current releases here are the 2014s, which are from a vintage that reminds me of the 2006s with their incredible richness and depth. These are thrilling wines that are going to age just about forever. The 2015s were mostly tasted out of barrel and at this stage are tight, firm, and focused, with plenty of obvious structure. These are going to continue putting on weight with time in barrel, and it’s certainly another terrific vintage from this reference point estate. These are awesome, world-class wines in every way.