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2005 Alban Vineyards Alban Estate Syrah

Written By: Michael Zimberg on Friday, November 14, 2008

Two lessons: first: seek out wines when all critics agree. This wine got raving reviews from some heavy hitters, including Robert Parker (96 points), Steven Tanzer (94 points, but really glowing), and the Wine Spectator (94 points, and #54 wine of the year in their top 100 issue). Second: what is a profound wine? A profound wine completely takes over your palate, in an entirely pleasurably way. So much that it also captivates the intellect. It leaves you happy and inspired. You realize you are in the presence of greatness.

I wanted to be a contrarian, to no avail. I was won over by the first sip. Knowing this wine was a little too young, I decanted 3 hours before dinner. As I drink my last glass (now open 5 1/2 hours), it is still improving. This wine is truly great. It creates its own universe of flavor. I get completely lost in it, and even after I swallow there's waves and waves of changing spice and fruit. This wine is profound. It transcends its description as it has such great balance. There's raw meats, graphite, black & white pepper, sweet ripe spicy blackberry and some burnt chocolate. Every sip is a new adventure. We drank it with a NY strip steak and Jill's amazing braised carrots and celery. The wine first melds with the food before it takes over the entire palate.

Mikey's Grade

"Mikey's Grade" is a trademark of independent wine reviewer Michael Zimberg, and does not represent the views or opinions of ClassicWines.com, LLC. To learn more about this grading system, click here .

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