2016 Alban Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard

Blended with 5% Syrah, the 2016 Grenache sports a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of blackberries, cured meats, chocolate, and peppery herbs. It's full bodied and has a massive core of fruit as well as a huge finish. This is another seamless, incredibly pure, elegant yet powerful wine from this estate that will evolve for 15+ years or more. 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.