Sandlands Tasting!!!!!

WINE TALK
1

I have mentioned Sandlands before and tasted a few young’s wines along the way.

I finally got to taste the whole line and they did not disappoint in fact they exceeded my very high expectations.

Release should happen in the month or so.

You can sign up for the mailing list here: Info@sandlandsvineyards.com

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.

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.

2

Nice report Robert - I’m super excited for this release!

3

Thanks for posting the note, like you I’ll buy what is offered and hope for a nice dollop of Amador Chenin.

4

Great write up Robert, glad they are all showing well right before they ship out. incredibly excited for the first release so I can start drinking them regularly and people can taste another side of Tegan’s insane winemaking/viticulture talent. I am truly lucky that I get to hang in vineyards with him, one of the smartest guys in the wine world and just a great person.

Everyone should be buying these wines who love fermented grape juice at ridiculously good value price points.

Hope we can catch up next time you are out here Robert.

Cheers,
Chris

Disclaimer: 1000% bias. Tegan and Olivia are friends and we do business together(Bedrock buys fruit from their amazing vineyard and Tegan buys fruit from Bedrock).

5

Excited to try the Sandlands wines, though kinda wish there were a varietal with typicity I was more familiar with. While I expect Tegan makes great wines, it’ll be hard for me to discern the typicity, terroir, and wine maker’s style since all 3 will be new for me. Thoughts?

6

Taste early and taste often! flirtysmile

Maybe some people have some ideas on similar wines, but any I can think of are a bit of a stretch. On the varietal side, Chalone makes an excellent Chenin Blanc from old vines that would be my CA Chenin reference standard. On the Contra Costa side, maybe one of the Neyers Carignane or Mourvedre?

7

Great notes, Robert. Any idea when these will be released?

8

Sounds great Robert. I’ve gone “all-in” on Turley since Tegan has been making their wines, and have enjoyed what he’s doing. The Sandlands wines really look like a labor of love so I’ll need to try these a well.

9

Tegan spent time working in South Africa, where he developed his appreciation for Chenin. I know he is a huge fan of the Chalone old vine Chenin (I’ve never had a better Chenin Blanc than this one and those 1910 vines are still in the ground).

I think Tegan appreciates “forgotten” varieties and regions and believes in their potential for greatness.

10

The e-mail just says Spring 2014 and the five wines that will be released. If I remember correctly, it is two vintages of Carignane, one Chenin, one Mataro and one Syrah. Production is from 1 to 4 barrels depending on the wine so not much to go around.

11

From the response email:

We plan to release our first wines in the Spring of 2014,

Our first release will consist of these 5 wines-

2010 California Mataro -107 cases produced
2010 Contra Costa County Carignane -28 cases produced
2011 Amador County Chenin blanc -44 cases produced
2011 Contra Costa County Carignane -46 cases produced
2011 Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah -52 cases produced

12

Sounded more like promoting them to me…

13

Change this to “made” (yes, past tense - those vine got ripped up)

14

Hey Markus this is a fair question. However I assure you that I posted about Tegan’s wines because 1.) I am really excited about them and 2.) as a benefit to fellow Board members. Moreover Tegan will need ZERO help selling these wines

Please consider the following:

1.) Tegan is a top winemaker in California and known to many on this Board and in the industry

2.) These are very low production (some are sub 30 cases) / low priced wines

3.) Antonio Galloni also raved about them and rated them highly after my initial mention

4.) Other winemakers confirmed that they are great wines

5.) Tegan was heavily courted by several distributors

6.) The wines were launched to the trade this week in NYC and I have heard many raves

7.) I put a disclaimer that I consider Tegan a friend

I hope you do not think I was still promoting and if you do not want to hear about my wine discoveries then please put me on ignore.

15

Oh trust me, I know.


I hope you do not think I was still promoting and if you do not want to hear about my wine discoveries then please put me on ignore.

Heaven forbid! I value all opinions (not always equally), but sometimes posts where the person knows the winemaker/owner come across a little like an unsolicited stock tip. Judging from your enthusiasm for these wines, your praise sounds warranted.

16

Oh no, if they are also distributed what’s the chance we’ll ever get anything from the list unless we act with lightening speed?

17

Robert not the only fan…

18

I’ll be looking for that Buy Full Allocation button.

19

Nice article. So happy for Tegan! I can confirm what Jon said the NYC Wine Trade was buzzing over Tegan’s debut.

20

Great article. Looks like the big debut offering is in April?

I want to make sure I get my allocation before those grasping NY somms buy Tegan’s “castoffs” up!

“Every single person said, make sure you get to Tegan’s wines,” recalls Juliette Pope, beverage director of New York’s Gramercy Tavern."