John Alban is more than a wine producer: Robert Parker has described him as the “spiritual and qualitative leader of the Rhône Ranger movement”: his impact on wine production in California is not to be understated. Established in 1989, Alban Vineyards represents California’s first winery and vineyard dedicated exclusively to the varietals of the Rhône at a time when anything that was neither Cabernet nor Chardonnay was barely grown in California, Alban was a groundbreaking project and has gone on to be regarded as one of the U.S.A’s best and most influential producers.
The Central Coast Viognier from Alban has always been fantastic value and rarely overshadowed by its big brother, the Estate Viognier. This 2013 vintage has aromas of ripe peach, flowers and exotic honey. It’s rich, unctuous and concentrated on the palate, offering the classic Alban richness and texture. The finish is a heady rich blockbuster. Brilliant when young but exceptional when it has a few years of age, like this now 7-year-old beauty.