2020 Alban Vineyards Pandora Red Edna Valley

(93 Points) Hailing from the pure chalk soils of Seymour's Vineyard, the 2020 Grenache Pandora was aged for 34 months in 60% new French oak. The nose is a fragrant yet immensely concentrated mix of ripe berries, purple flowers and hints of kelp-driven umami tones. The palate is full-bodied and slick in texture, featuring loads of polished black fruits lined with subtle acidity that lead to a finish dominated by saturated fruit flavors, crushed stones and oak tannins.

John Alban is a pioneer through and through, having spearheaded the Rhône Ranger movement and set into motion what would become some of the Central Coast's most sought-after bottlings, both through his eponymous label and those he inspired and mentored. The Alban wines are unapologetically style-driven, anchored around ripe, forward fruit intensity and the equally unabashed use of extended élevage in new French oak. Although they remain primarily full-throttle examples of the Edna Valley, recent vintages have seen many wines reeled in from some of their prior hedonism, most notably the signature trio of vineyard-designate Syrahs.  Published: Jul 18, 2024, The Wine Advocate