Central Coast

• Edna Valley
• Mt. Harlan
• Paso Robles
  • Willow Creek

John Alban makes wonderful Rhone varietal wines.  This is almost all Syrah although some references suggest a tiny amount of Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and fresh with black raspberries, bacon fat, black pepper and slight dark chocolate.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is lush and delicious but not over the top.  Still pretty youthful.  Flavors of black raspberries, black pepper and chocolate.  Long finish.  This could use more cellaring so if opening soon, give it some air.  Drink over the next twenty years.  

Sea Smoke has long produced very good and unique Pinot Noir coming from a scant few miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. The ubiquitous fog that covers the mountains helps to grow Pinot in its naturally desired cool environment. What results out of this for Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is that Sea Smoke is more on the darker fruit side and carries an earthy quality that an abundance of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir does not.