2019 Alban Vineyards - Syrah Central Coast Reva (750ml)

John Alban is widely credited as a pioneer of the Rhône Rangers movement, having spent seven years scouting the Central Coast for the right site before purchasing his Edna Valley property in 1989. He planted Syrah, Viognier, and Roussanne on land he believed could rival the Northern Rhône, becoming one of the earliest and most influential American producers of Rhône-style wines. The Reva bottling takes its name from a ridge on the estate, a nod that Alban has admitted was inspired partly by a Kentucky Derby winner and partly by his mother's name.

Reva is sourced from neutral sandy soils on portions of the Alban estate that turn chalky and notably alkaline, terrain distinct from the deeper clay found elsewhere on the property. The wine is built from nearly all Syrah, with a small addition of co-fermented Viognier rounding out the blend. Farmed and vinified with Alban's characteristically hands-on, terroir-focused approach, the 2019 vintage was bottled in June 2020 and shows a cooler, more restrained profile than some past years.

This Syrah opens with blackberry, graphite, and cracked pepper, along with savory herb and game notes that give it a distinctly Northern Rhône character. The palate is medium to full-bodied, layered and elegant rather than overtly powerful, with ripe, polished tannins and bright acidity carrying through a long finish. Its dusty minerality and spice make it a natural partner for grilled lamb, smoked brisket, or a peppery hard cheese.