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 was sourced from Bohan Vineyard in Cazadero on the Sonoma Coast.
Light red in color. 12.7% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, soil and flowers. Light body with perfect acidity. Bright, crisp and refreshing. Cherries, strawberries, cranberries and minerals on the palate. Medium length on the finish. Perfect bottle for a picnic or a sunny afternoon on the deck. Absolutely delightful. Best over the next several 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.