Alban "Reva" Syrah 2003 (Edna Valley)

Opaque red/purple.

Discreet, pure aromas of white pepper, licorice, blood orange, subtle oak spice, soy and slow-roasted meat. Spectacularly refined, complex nose.

Sweet, perfumed citrus peel entry. Huge and creamy start to finish, with citrus character and a slight alcohol burn going the distance also. I have a feeling that palate complexity will increase, and the alcohol become more integrated, with cellaring.


Day 2 - This bottle and the Copain - what a great contrast in style, and, possibly, vintage and terroir. The Alban deriving aromatic and flavor purity from (what I assume to be) lower pH/higher acidity and sweetness in the mouth from elevated alcohol. Copain benefiting from stem inclusion/lower acidity/higher pH (and lower alcohol) in terms of roundness and expressive, seamless palate character. Zero sum game? At the highest level, it can be nothing else.



$75