2017 Alban Syrah Patrina Estate

Bottled in March of this year and all Syrah, the 2017 Patrina sports a deep purple/plum color as well as rich, dark black fruits, spiced meat, asphalt, and chocolate. This big, extroverted beauty has sweet tannins and a great finish. It's another terrific vintage for this cuvée that's ideal for readers looking for a glimpse of the style, and quality, of this estate. It will evolve for 8-10 years. There are certainly no dogs in the recent vintages from John Alban – 2016, 2017, and 2018 are all brilliant vintages. At the top of the heap, the 2016s have everything: Incredible purity of fruit, flawless balance, and power paired with considerable elegance. These are magical wines and some of the finest I've tasted from the estate. Mostly still resting in barrel, the 2017s have big, exuberant personalities with already complex aromatics as well as plenty of structure on the palate. I was only able to taste the Patrina from 2018, but this is always a good indication of the quality from John, and it has a touch of the 2016s’ purity and elegance. I'll review the 2018s from barrel prior to release. Readers can't go wrong with any of these latest wines.