Tried this last night w/ my Shepard'sPie:
1. AlbanVnyds Grenache AlbanEstate/EdnaVlly (15.8%) 2001: Very dark color w/ some bricking; very strong toasty/charred/burnt/Fr.oak/bit pencilly intense blackberry/strawberry/Grenache/boysenberry rather spicy bit peppery very slight fumey/alcoholic some complex nose; quite tart/tangy/bit metallic strong toasty/charred/burnt/oak intense blackberry/Grenache/boysenberry/strawberry/ripe slight peppery/spicy bit complex flavor w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; very long/lingering very ripe/blackberry/Grenache/strawberry/boysenberry slight spicy/peppery rather burnt/toasty/charred/Fr.oak bit complex finish w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; still loads of primary/Grenache fruit w/ slight complexity and fully resolved tannins; not a whole lot of complexity but very good drinking; carries the alcohol well and no sense of overripeness.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Of the three older Albans, this was the best. Still, with huge Grenache fruit, it gets a bit boring after the first few glasses. Not a style that much appeals to me.
Tom