Bottle Notes

2015 Sandlands Carignane – Bottle Notes

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. The wines made at Sandlands include Syrah, Trousseau, Carignane, Mataro and Chenin Blanc.

The fruit for this wine is sourced from Lodi and Contra Costa County from own-rooted vines planted between 1920 and 1936.

Crimson in color. 13.4% ABV. Rustic nose of red fruits, earth, iron and minerals. Dry and somewhat austere. Bing cherry, salmonberry, blood and earth on the palate. The finish is long and dry with a touch of tannin. If you a fan of dialed back, restrained wines that are somewhat of a throwback to a previous era of California winemaking then Sandlands will be right in your wheelhouse. Delicious and unique. Best over the next 2-4 years.

My rating: 91 points.

Seriously consider signing up for the Sandlands mailing list. Tegan has a model of unique wines at extremely fair prices from overlooked vineyards. What more can you ask for?

Sandlands fared well in The 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.

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