SEYMOUR's Syrah Edna Valley Estate Vineyard

That's right, Seymour's is not only the name of the wine, but also the vineyard high above Orcutt Road, which faces west and offers a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean on clear days. John named this wine after his father, who, according to tradition, gave him no other choice after John named his first red wine after his mother Reva, even though he had vowed at the beginning of the Alban Vineyards adventure never to name a wine after a family member. A very thin layer of humus over limestone and sandstone meant that Alban spent almost seven years scraping, chiseling, and shoveling on this hill before he could finally plant the first vines in the stone. The vines were now in the ground. The next task was to get them through the first few years, giving them enough time to grow deep roots and thrive. At first, the vineyard looked pretty miserable, with vines dying over and over again, forcing John to replace dozens of plants and raise them by hand, so to speak. But now that the vines have deep roots, Seymour's Vineyard is producing grapes that, once turned into wine, will delight lovers of great Syrahs around the globe. A scent like the finest bone-aged beef in various stages – fresh when waiting on the board at room temperature to be seasoned, then roasted, kissed by the flames, resting again on the cutting board before the chef cuts it with a sharp knife in one swift motion. Smoky notes and peppery components combine with meaty nuances to create a perfume that couldn't be better. A wine so powerful yet finely chiseled, wonderfully balanced and juicy, with the finest tannins and a never-ending finish, it is close to perfection.