Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture.
Crimson in color. 12.9% ABV. Savory nose of black fruits, gamey meats and lavender. Medium body with medium to strong acidity. Light, elegant and fresh. Cherries, olive brine, barbecued meats and minerals on the palate. Medium length on the finish. Reminds me more of a Saint-Joseph than your prototypical California Syrah. Delicious for what it is. Drink over the the next 2-3 years.
My rating: 91 points.
Seriously consider signing up for the Sandlands mailing list. Tegan has a model of exceptional wines at extremely fair prices from impeccable vineyards. What more can you ask for?
Sandlands fared well on The 2017 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.
If you enjoyed this post please consider subscribing to Zinfandel Chronicles updates by email.