Notes from the Winemaker:When John Alban set out to make California wines, there were about six varietals produced throughout the state, and really only two were ever consumed with any regularity, Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon. If there is one single person who helped shape California as a diverse, multi-faceted growing region, and specifically as a primary region for Rhône varietals, it is John Alban. His project is historic.
Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, and indeed Syrah, were all relatively unknown wines to most wine drinkers stateside until John began planting. When there were fewer than 50 acres of Viognier in the world, John propogated 32, eventually supplying most of the clippings that would go on to make most California Viogniers. Syrah, now produced by seemingly every winemaker, jumped from a few hundred acres in California to over 17,000 today. Most importantly though, John – with his wife Lorraine – has maintained both his passion and his skill over the years. The wines are just as complex, well- crafted and stellar as they’ve ever been. Springboard is honored to be working with Alban Vineyards.
Ratings & Reviews
91 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar ('08 vintage):"Bright gold. Restrained, mineral-driven aromas of pear, orange and white flowers, with a subtle spicy character. Racy on entry, then gains power and fleshiness in the middle palate and offers rich, expansive orchard and pit fruit flavors, with a dusty layer of lemon pith adding cut. The minerality and spiciness repeat on the nicely persistent, juicy finish." - Josh Raynolds (Nov/Dec 2009)
91 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar ('07 vintage):"Hazy yellow. Alluring perfume of smoky citrus and pit fruits, with floral honey and leesy nuances. Silky in texture, with sweet peach and Meyer lemon flavors; expands and becomes more exotic with air. The fresh, precise finish strongly repeats the lemon note." - Josh Raynolds (Nov/Dec 2008)
90 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine ('07 vintage):"Intense and fragrant, with a great balance between ripe, lush peach, citrus and tropical fruit flavors and sophisticated tobacco, mineral and spice notes. The flavors gain momentum on the finish. Drink now. 1,450 cases made." –MW (Web Only 2009)
