TNR: Alban Reva '02

Am I going to like this?
I have my doubts . . .

I think the '03 is the best domestic syrah I have ever had. Sorry, that probably doesn’t help too much…

I actually liked it but you have to like the Alban funk/reduction which is definitely present. It’s big but IIRC it shows some balance but again that reduction can be off putting.

The 04 Reva was like fire water to me…

Don’t know why I own it. But I am still killing singles while my cellar is being built in the new house. Maybe I will do this one this weekend . . .

Here’s my note in CT from the last bottle I opened:

10/17/2008: Drank along side the 2001 Reva, both having been double decanted for an hour or so. A bit bigger in style but typical killer Alban. Slight amount of reduction on the nose and palate. Years to go on both this and the 2001. (530 views)

I would suggest giving it a double decant of an hour or two to air it out. Enjoy!

I had this over a year ago and it seemed tight as hell even after a long decant. Maybe the decant helped it go into hiding? But the Lorraine’s and especially the Seymour’s from the same vintage on the same night were rockin.

The Reva is pretty consistent from year to year, so if you’ve liked them in the past . . .

I think the '02 is pretty drinkable right now, compared to all the vintages since then, especially with some decant time. Here’s my TN from a year ago:
Olive and pepperoni nose; tasty, balanced, tart black fruit and olive, with herb notes and good acidity; medium finish 93+ pts.