TN: 2018 Sandlands Zinfandel

[Ian_Alper]

Kevin - agree that it is similar to Birichino’s zin (or even in some ways to their Grenache). Also agree with Tom - our bottle had no reduction at all.

[Scott_Brunson]

Thanks Tom.
Looks like it’s time for me to take a peak at mine.

[Brian_Tuite]

I had one question about Brian’s and Tom’s notes, and hopefully I can succeed in asking this in a way that shows my interest and curiosity rather than seeming critical or nitpicky:

Both notes refer to it as claret-like. But the descriptors of crunchy raspberry, bramble and so forth don’t sound like claret, at least not as I think of it. They certainly sound like zinfandel.

I get the sense you were using it as a compliment to mean “not overblown like some other zinfandel is.” Is that what you meant, or did you mean it really reminds of Bordeaux or other claret?

Thanks, hopefully you guys can “claret” up for me. Great notes, by the way, and I’m looking forward to drinking mine one of these days.

Mine was referring to it’s judicious abv combined with it’s structure and balance. While exhibiting Zinfandel notes they weren’t in spades but rather woven in deftly. My note was done before release, it was very fresh at the time and exhibited some of that freshness with the crunchy fruit. I’m one to agree that this wines best days are well in the future like would be expected from a claret as well.

[R_Roberts]

Also, what is Sandland’s “house style?”

I JUST got my first Sandland offer earlier this week, so I’m still a virgin. Great notes!

I’d say red fruited, light in color, low to very low alcohol (for the applicable variety), no noticeable oak influence, crisp acids. And many of the wines are made from fairly rare/obscure varieties, or at least rare in California.

Well put, Chris. I would just add that for me, Sandlands also have phenolic ripeness for their very low ABVs, something that’s often hard to find in California wines.

[AD_Northup]

Also, what is Sandland’s “house style?”

I JUST got my first Sandland offer earlier this week, so I’m still a virgin. Great notes!

I’d say red fruited, light in color, low to very low alcohol (for the applicable variety), no noticeable oak influence, crisp acids. And many of the wines are made from fairly rare/obscure varieties, or at least rare in California.

Well put, Chris. I would just add that for me, Sandlands also have phenolic ripeness for their very low ABVs, something that’s often hard to find in California wines.

Fully agree with both of these. Just really fun and delicious wines.