Pandora Cellars
Alban Vineyards
Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah 2005
Alban Vineyards as they state in their label "The first American winery & vineyard established exclusively for Rhone varieties." This Syrah has settled in nicely after 10 years in bottle. I would say it's peaking. On the nose; scorched earth, sweet & slowly baked; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries and dark cherries. Mint, eucalyptus, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed rocks, loamy top soil and lilacs, violets and lavender. The palate is rich and nicely resolved. The body medium-medium plus. The fruits are ripe, creamy and juicy; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries, dark cherries and strawberries haunt the long fruit set. Mint, eucalyptus, sage, smoked meat, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, scorched earth, a little bacon fat, underbrush, a whiff of black pepper, lilacs, violets and lavender, great rich, round, fresh acidity with a very good, long, balanced, well structured, finish with length and staying power. I prefer this over the Cayuse I had a couple of weeks ago. Much better balance of fruit, earth, etc.. photos of their Edna Valley vineyard, fruit that needs netting to protect it from the birds, John Alban and the Alban barrel room. Producer notes and history...In 1985, John Alban planted grapes for other people until he bought an estate in 1989. He focused on wines made from Rhône Valley varietals. Alban is one of the pioneers of the Rhone Rangers movement. They are considered to one of the more influential American Rhone producers. In beginning to grow Viognier, Alban said, "I almost single-handedly doubled the world's acreage," referring to a time when its cultivation was reduced to 50 acres or 20 ha in two areas of the Rhône Valley, Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Alban's work, along with that of Josh Jensen of Calera Wine Company (just sold to Duckhorn, ugh!) in San Benito County, helped to significantly expand plantings of Viognier in California at a time when the variety was near extinction. Alban has 250-acre or 100 ha under vine. Their vineyard area extends 60 acres or 24 ha, planted with Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. The Alban wines produced are; Lorraine Vineyard, Reva Vineyard Syrah, Seymour's Vineyard Syrah, Patrina Alban Estate Syrah and Pandora, a blend of Grenache and Syrah. They also used to produce a dessert wine from 5% botrytis grapes and aged in 50% new oak, called Rotten Luck. You can still find past vintages on Wine-Searcher. — 7 years ago
Mas de la Devèze
Pandora Côtes du Roussillon Villages Grenache Blend
Dense and delicious Mourvèdre based blend. — 4 years ago
Alban Vineyards
Tithings Enda Valley Red Blend 2002
Although Delectable recognized the label, this appears to be the first post of this one-off bottling. Saw a description of this as a “staff only” bottling of resettled “bottom of the barrel” remains from Reva, Seymour’s, Pandora, Lorraine and Grenache barrels. Probably an 8.8 at best on opening. Extremely reductive notes of rubber and tar/asphalt. Came around nicely on night two with the fruit poking through along with some nice savory elements. — 6 years ago
Lo-Fi
Santa Barbara County Gamay Pinot Noir 2014
Traffic coming home from work was shit, took me an hour and half, so glugged this bottle down in about 45 minutes when I finally got home. Paired well the Dr. Octagon pandora station. — 8 years ago
Pandora Cellars
Black Velvet 2010
Amazing!!! — 10 years ago
Domaine de Courbissac
Pandora Minervois-La Livinière
with Takeshita-san — 7 years ago
Hammell Wine Alliance
True Believer California Red Blend 2012
Reminded me a lot of a young Alban Pandora. That's a very good thing. — 8 years ago
Villa Cafaggio
Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2009
Paul T HB
Warehouse wine,
Bought to stay on the allocation list, definitely opened early but I needed to compare to older vintages I’ve had. There’s a reason these last 20 years. 2002 are drinking great. 4th day on this one.
Enjoy in 2038 — 6 months ago