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The June 2022 Auction: Part 4
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1 / 2Lot 351
Estimate: $170
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Collection name
Reviews
96+WA
"Looking at the reds, the 2009 Forsythe, which is 100% Mourvedre aged in 100% new French oak (there’s only a single barrel made), has off the charts richness and depth. Loaded with deep, layered aromas and flavors of smoked black fruits, aged beef, new leather and tinges of vanilla, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, massively rich and textured feel that never seems heavy or cumbersome. Give it 2-3 years to round into form and enjoy it over the following decade. Drink 2016-2026. Located at the very southern end of the Edna Valley and residing in its own little micro climate, Alban Vineyards, under the guidance of John Alban, is a reference point for Rhone varieties in the world today. Looking at the vintages reviewed here, both 2009 and 2010 are strong, with the 2009s possessing plenty of sweet fruit and relatively approachable profiles, and the 2010s showing slightly more structure, with lively acidity and big frames that will fill in once bottled. As is common with John’s Syrahs, these continue to gain in richness and depth as they mature in barrel (they see upwards of 4 years in barrel) and really don’t show all of their material and richness until 4-5 years after the vintage. In addition to his single vineyard Syrahs, I was blown away by his Mourvedre-dominated Forsythe and the Grenache-heavy Pandora (which comes from a single plot of chalky soils). Both are up near the pinnacle of what’s coming out of California today and should not be missed."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"Looking at the reds, the 2009 Forsythe, which is 100% Mourvedre aged in 100% new French oak (there’s only a single barrel made), has off the charts richness and depth. Loaded with deep, layered aromas and flavors of smoked black fruits, aged beef, new leather and tinges of vanilla, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, massively rich and textured feel that never seems heavy or cumbersome. Give it 2-3 years to round into form and enjoy it over the following decade. Drink 2016-2026. Located at the very southern end of the Edna Valley and residing in its own little micro climate, Alban Vineyards, under the guidance of John Alban, is a reference point for Rhone varieties in the world today. Looking at the vintages reviewed here, both 2009 and 2010 are strong, with the 2009s possessing plenty of sweet fruit and relatively approachable profiles, and the 2010s showing slightly more structure, with lively acidity and big frames that will fill in once bottled. As is common with John’s Syrahs, these continue to gain in richness and depth as they mature in barrel (they see upwards of 4 years in barrel) and really don’t show all of their material and richness until 4-5 years after the vintage. In addition to his single vineyard Syrahs, I was blown away by his Mourvedre-dominated Forsythe and the Grenache-heavy Pandora (which comes from a single plot of chalky soils). Both are up near the pinnacle of what’s coming out of California today and should not be missed."
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
A late-ripening red lending structure, dark fruit and gamey, meaty complexity to southern Rhone and Mediterranean blends.
Syrah (Shiraz) produces dark, powerful reds with black fruit, pepper and smoked-meat notes. It yields elegant, perfumed wines in the northern Rhone and bold, rich styles in Australia.