Alban Estate Reva Syrah 2019

Alban are the original 'Rhône Rangers', and much of California's Grenache, Syrah and Viognier comes from what's locally referred to as The Alban Clone. They are true cult legends, yet nobody has heard of them, or tasted their incredible wines. 

In the 1980s, obsessed with French wine, a young John Alban ventured in search of an internship in France's Beaujolais region. After a number of months, he travelled south, to the Rhône. This was at a time where the French were rather obsessive and precise abou the way you should look turning up to a wine interview. 

John, being  a rather rugged looking youth, and was continually turned away from work at the likes of Perrin's Beaucastel, and Brunier's Vieux Télégraphé. That was, until he reached Reynaud's hallowed 'Rayas'. Reynaud asked if John had gone around the whole Southern Rhône looking for work looking the way he did. John nodded, and Reynaud just burst out laughing. 

The two worked together for a few vintages, and John managed to transport Grenache and Syrah cuttings (strapped to his legs, to avoid quarrantine!), back to California. The rest is history...