Winemaker Notes
Blend: 95% Grenache, 5% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even richer and fuller on the palate, and capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best Grenaches in the world, the 2009 Pandora checks in as a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah that was aged in 64% new French oak. Coming from a single block of pure chalk soils, its inky purple color is followed by notions of blackberry, black cherry liqueur, smoked ham, vanilla and hints of chalky minerality that give way to a full-bodied, layered and voluptuously textured wine. Despite all of the fruit, it has beautiful mid-palate density and a big, ripe tannic structure. Count me a fan and don’t miss an opportunity to taste this wine! It should benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely for 15 years or more. Drink 2015-2024.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
California’s coolest wine growing area, Edna Valley excels in the production of high quality Central Coast wines like Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Rhône Blends and aromatic white wines. It has a cool Mediterranean climate and an incredibly long growing season, giving late-ripening varieties plenty of opportunity to develop great phenolic complexity.
Its northwest to southeast orientation creates a direct path for cool Pacific air and fog to penetrate the valley from the Los Osos and Morro Bay area inwards. Low hillsides of both calcareous and volcanic soils are home to much of the vineyard acreage of the Edna Valley.