Robert Dentice
Robert Dentice
These wines are really special and extremely fairly priced ($24-30 with one at $40). Most will be sold direct but some will be sold retail to the usual suspects. The wines will be released in a month or so - try them if you can.
I have been fortunate to know Tegan for several years now. I believe we first met at one of Abe’s parties. He is a genuine guy who is a joy to be around. I could not he happier to see him evolve into one of the foremost authorities on old vineyards in California, an outstanding winemaker (Turley and Sandlands) and vineyeard owner (Kirschenmann-Lodi). I tasted through his entire lineup and was blown away by the quality, the unique expressions of each vineyard and the over all balance/savory quality of the wines. Simply put these are perfect food wines that can be opened every night (unfortunately there is not much to go around I am sure he could sell out his entire production to insiders in the wine business).
I will buy whatever is offered to me. The wines are fairly priced (most will be in the $24-30 range) because Tegan wants people to drink them!
These notes/impressions are from a tasting two weeks ago in Napa.
Disclaimer: I consider Tegan a friend.
You can sign up for the mailing list here - Info@sandlandsvineyards.com
Forgive my weak notes I was enjoying the conversation with Tegan and Levi too much to focus.
2011 Sandlands Chenin Blanc (12.9% abv) Amador
The best U.S. Chenin I have ever tried. Smooth, oily elegent, tart, nutty. Great structure and beautiful aromatics. Delicous. Juicy.
A salinity that makes me hungry! In fact all of Tegan’s wines made me year for food which to me is the highest compliment.
The vineyard was planted in 1979 and the volcanic soil is composed of quartz and granite.
Destemmed. Basket press.
Tegan is a big Chenin fan and believes in its potential in the right vineyards in California.
I think this wine will sell for around $24 for which is just an insane value.
2012 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador
I think the aromatics on the 2012 were more open. Lots of spice and juicyness along with a streak of minerality.
A clear vintage difference in comparison to the 2011.
2010 Sandlands Mataro (13.6% abv)
Mataro is mourvedre. The is a blend of two vineyards in sites (half old vines from Contra Costa and the other part from the Sierra Mountains)
Super spicey, structured, smooth with some hints of smoked meat.
No SO2 at crush and all whole cluster.
Again this wine made me hungry!
2010 Sandlands Carignan (13.2% abv)
Juicy texture with dark fruits along with spices including lots of pepper. The acid is just right and keeps the wine lively. A small amount of tannins that give an added complexity.
2011 Sandlands Carignan
Similar to the 2010 with a slight lighter overall profile.
2012 Sandlands Syrah (13.2% abv)
This is from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Green pepper that is similar to a Loire cab franc. Nice bright fruit profile with back-ended polished tannins. A really amazing Syrah that was probably influenced by Tegan’s time at Graillot.
2012 Sandlands Carignan
This was towards the end of the tasting and my notes simply say delicous.
2012 Sandlands Trousseau
This is from the Bohan Vineyard in Sonomoa. Really outstanding wine with a very unique Blood orange character. Elegant, dark fruit, juicky and some hints of herbs.
2012 Grenache (14.2 abv)
The vineyard is in Placer county.
Salty, tart great aromatics, stone fruit, peach, herbal, lively
These are lively, delicious distinctive food friendly wines.
I have been fortunate to know Tegan for several years now. I believe we first met at one of Abe’s parties. He is a genuine guy who is a joy to be around. I could not he happier to see him evolve into one of the foremost authorities on old vineyards in California, an outstanding winemaker (Turley and Sandlands) and vineyeard owner (Kirschenmann-Lodi). I tasted through his entire lineup and was blown away by the quality, the unique expressions of each vineyard and the over all balance/savory quality of the wines. Simply put these are perfect food wines that can be opened every night (unfortunately there is not much to go around I am sure he could sell out his entire production to insiders in the wine business).
I will buy whatever is offered to me. The wines are fairly priced (most will be in the $24-30 range) because Tegan wants people to drink them!
These notes/impressions are from a tasting two weeks ago in Napa.
Disclaimer: I consider Tegan a friend.
You can sign up for the mailing list here - Info@sandlandsvineyards.com
Forgive my weak notes I was enjoying the conversation with Tegan and Levi too much to focus.
2011 Sandlands Chenin Blanc (12.9% abv) Amador
The best U.S. Chenin I have ever tried. Smooth, oily elegent, tart, nutty. Great structure and beautiful aromatics. Delicous. Juicy.
A salinity that makes me hungry! In fact all of Tegan’s wines made me year for food which to me is the highest compliment.
The vineyard was planted in 1979 and the volcanic soil is composed of quartz and granite.
Destemmed. Basket press.
Tegan is a big Chenin fan and believes in its potential in the right vineyards in California.
I think this wine will sell for around $24 for which is just an insane value.
2012 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador
I think the aromatics on the 2012 were more open. Lots of spice and juicyness along with a streak of minerality.
A clear vintage difference in comparison to the 2011.
2010 Sandlands Mataro (13.6% abv)
Mataro is mourvedre. The is a blend of two vineyards in sites (half old vines from Contra Costa and the other part from the Sierra Mountains)
Super spicey, structured, smooth with some hints of smoked meat.
No SO2 at crush and all whole cluster.
Again this wine made me hungry!
2010 Sandlands Carignan (13.2% abv)
Juicy texture with dark fruits along with spices including lots of pepper. The acid is just right and keeps the wine lively. A small amount of tannins that give an added complexity.
2011 Sandlands Carignan
Similar to the 2010 with a slight lighter overall profile.
2012 Sandlands Syrah (13.2% abv)
This is from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Green pepper that is similar to a Loire cab franc. Nice bright fruit profile with back-ended polished tannins. A really amazing Syrah that was probably influenced by Tegan’s time at Graillot.
2012 Sandlands Carignan
This was towards the end of the tasting and my notes simply say delicous.
2012 Sandlands Trousseau
This is from the Bohan Vineyard in Sonomoa. Really outstanding wine with a very unique Blood orange character. Elegant, dark fruit, juicky and some hints of herbs.
2012 Grenache (14.2 abv)
The vineyard is in Placer county.
Salty, tart great aromatics, stone fruit, peach, herbal, lively
These are lively, delicious distinctive food friendly wines.
