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.
Magenta in color. 13.5% ABV. Savory nose of red fruits, iron, baking spices and flowers. Medium body with perfect acidity. Fresh and crisp with tart fruits in spades. Cherry, blood orange, apricot and earth on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. One of the bigger reds in the Sandlands lineup. Best over the next 3-5 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.