2012 Alban Vineyards, Pandora, Edna Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 95

Glass-staining ruby. Potent, expansive red fruit preserve, incense and potpourri scents show superb focus and pick up exotic spice and smoky mineral elements as the wine opens up. Densely packed raspberry, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors show unlikely vibrancy thanks to a core of tangy acidity, which drives the rich fruit on the back half. Closes extremely long, sweet and smooth, with an emphatic echo of juicy red fruit and candied flowers and outstanding, gently tannic persistence. [Josh Raynolds, 01/09/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2026

Robert Parker 100

A perfect wine any way you look at it, the utterly profound 2012 Pandora is 100% Grenache that was brought up all in barrel. Massively concentrated and textured, yet ethereal and nuanced, it offers a huge bouquet of black currants, licorice, smoked herbs, chocolate and toasted spice. Bravo to the team at Alban for this incredible, full-bodied, seamless beauty that’s easily one of the greatest wines I’ve tasted from California. [07/04/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028