2004 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard

The 2004 Syrah Reva is classic in style, with its iodine, olive and salty, marine-like character front and center. Coming from the gravelly, sandy clay loam soils on the estate, it shows more textbook Syrah character with air (very northern Rhone-like) and has first rate complexity, gorgeous dark fruit and brilliant overall purity. Showing almost no evolution, with full-bodied richness, fine tannin and a balanced, fresh and lengthy profile, it will continue to drink beautifully for another decade or more. The two Grenache based efforts both come from the original Grenache plantings on the estate which, according to John, were put in because he didn’t know what to do with the vines and was trying to build up cuttings. Moving to the Syrahs, each comes from specific soil types and is named after a family member, with the Reva named after John’s Mother, the Lorraine after his wife, and Seymour’s after his father. All of the Syrahs spend close to 42 months in oak. Tel. (805) 546-0305; www.albanvineyards.com