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 Zinfandel.
The 2019 Sandlands Mission was sourced from the Deaver Ranch located in the Shenandoah Valley within Amador County. These vines are historically significant as they were planted in 1854 by John James Davis, making them arguably the oldest surviving commercial vines in California.
Light red in color. 13.4% ABV. Delicate nose of red fruits, baking spices, earth and flowers. Light body with medium acidity. Fresh and crisp with tart fruits. Cherry, strawberry, red apple and soil on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Intriguing wine and certainly a glimpse into the historic roots of California winemaking. Best over the next year or so. It is unfortunate this wine is no longer part of the Sandlands lineup.
My rating: 90 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?