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, Chenin Blanc and at long last a Zinfandel from Kirschenmann Vineyard.
The fruit for this wine was sourced from Deaver Vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley in the Amador Foothills. Deaver Vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in North America planted in 1854.
The color on this wine is striking. Light reddish orange. 12.9% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, black tea and rose petals. Crisp and fresh with perfect acidity. There is an appealing rusticity to the wine. Black cherry, orange rind, spice and earth on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Fantastic wine that is much more than just history in a glass. Well made and delicious as well. Best over the next several years.
My rating: 92 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 2020 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.