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Tasting notes
Tasted out of bottle, the 2010 Pandora checks in as a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that comes from a single block of chalky soils. Showing the cool year, it has a pretty, elegant and fresh profile to go with notions of black raspberries, flowers, mint and spice on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, lightly textured and juicy, it should drink nicely through 2022. This is another incredible lineup by Rhone superstar John Alban. For the life of me, I can’t understand why no one else in the Edna Valley tries to make wine anywhere close to this level of quality. Tel. (805) 546-0305; www.albanvineyards.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Exotic, super-ripe and beguiling, the 2010 Grenache Pandora is utterly compelling. I don't think I have ever tasted a Grenache with this level of aromatic complexity and pure nuance. The Pandora is incredibly ripe, voluptuous and racy. Cherries in liqueur, exotic spices, wild flowers of all sorts, chocolate and leather are some of the many notes that flow through to the finish. John Alban's Pandora is a true American original. Readers should do what ever they can to experience this elixir.