Jay Kline

9.2

Part of a double-blind, side-by-side between the 2017 Sandlands Mataro, which also happens to be from Contra Costa County. Opened and allowed both bottles to slow-ox about three hours prior to our guests arriving. Slightly deeper in color. The nose was lingonberries and dusty earth. On the palate, there were plums and spices. This comes across more round than the Sandlands and has the silkiest of deliveries. Medium tannins but they seemed to grow as time went on.

Given the structure, I expect these to continue aging very well. At this stage, this comes across as a very elegant wine. The Oakley Road Vineyard is own-rooted and dry-farmed; planted 117 years ago. 352 cases. — 5 years ago

Lee Lightfoot

9.2

Like a lighter bodied zin Syrah hybrid without the dried fruit character. Dark fruited Old vine deliciousness — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.1

This was a head scratcher. Combe is a joint partnership between Stolpman and Rajat Parr. Certainly not as floral or sweet as Arnot Roberts Trousseau or even Sandlands. This was like a more herbal version of Cru Beaujolais, minus the carbonic maceration. Super tight and locked up on day 1, gaining more savory and herbal notes on day 2. Cloudy in the glass. Oregano dusted cherries and sour red fruit gummies on the nose. On day 2, it gained a salted/cured meat savory note too. Puréed strawberries with bay leaf and peppercorn on the finish. Acidity and tannins are down the middle, but this seems to be a bit more structured (ie, less gummy) than other Trousseaus I’ve had. Seems organic. Best enjoyed with a slight chill. — 6 years ago

Carl Fischer

8.9

Recommendation from the local wine shop. Super cloudy in the glass. A touch sweet, abundant acid, lemon, honey, oily texture. Very nice. Though for California Chenin Blanc, nothing compares to Sandlands. — 8 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

The best Contra Costa Zin I've had. Beautiful nose: ripe blackberry/cassis, sandalwood, baking spices. The mouthfeel is remarkable. So plush. But not jammy at all. In fact seems gravity-defying. Perfectly ripe fruit. Transitions seamlessly to a dark, clingy, pure minerality. Beautifully proportioned and balanced. Matt Cline was mastering sand- based wines well before the trendies who seek Sandlands were making their first trip to the sandbox. (My great dog Zinny is in the background.) — 9 years ago

Doctor No

9.2

Elegant, a bit animale, touch of tapenade and rich, red meat. Closest Cali gets to Cote Rotie — 11 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The bottle was opened about three hours prior to dinner, splash decanted and then returned to the bottle. Pours a bright ruby color. On the nose, red cherry and strawberry fruits; comes across a bit alpine? Minerals and other light herbs somewhat nod the mountains...which I guess makes some sense considering the location of Besson Vineyard (the source of the fruit, just outside of the Santa Cruz AVA). This is a Grenache endowed with undeniable structure. The acid is obvious immediately however, it takes a few hours for the tannin monster to show up. This would benefit from a handful of years on the cellar. The Besson Vineyard was planted in 1910. The folks at Birichino Winery were willing to share 1.5 tons of their fruit. 3.5 barrels produced. — 5 years ago

Chris Grimm

9.3

Blueberry pie, red berries, flowers, moderate tannins, acidity is on the higher side. Kind of a leaner, more elegant style Merlot. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

First time drinking Xavier’s wines and I’m really impressed. Stone fruit, apricot, peach, pineapple, white flowers...and continues to open with air and comes up to temp. Really delicious and reminds me a bit of Sandlands Chenin. — 6 years ago

Matt Beyard

9.0

Nice rose just waited a bit too long to open it. — 7 years ago

Alex Hill

9.1

Just a killer bottle of Carignane. Focused fruit with herbal notes and good acidity. A richer mid-palate. Right up there with Sandlands, Vinca Minor, and Forlorn Hope as my favorite domestic renditions. — 8 years ago

Josh Grove

9.3

California showing how great it can be. — 9 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

White rose petal and green stems on the bouquet. Seems like this could have been whole cluster fermentation. Sweet red fruits, strawberry jam, nice pure finish. Modern style done right. This bottle, 2 bottles Sandlands, a rose' and a Dirty and Rowdy white blend all provided by fan favorite @Steve Anderson at Lamb Fest hosted by @Dan Blackwell the hobbling host with the most. Nice way to kick off summer. — 10 years ago

with Dan and Steve

Chris Grimm

9.1

Oh, how I’ve missed you. Has some similarities to the Chenin, but obviously lighter bodied, higher acid, and everything good. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

My first 2018 Chenin Blanc from Sandlands (not sure how I was so patient to leave one of these until now). Typical of this project, the ABV is very modest at 12%. Popped and poured; consumed over two days with consistent experiences both nights. On the nose, soft white flowers, slightly underripe pear, honeysuckle and lime. Just the slightest touch wooly. On the palate, it’s pear, lime and chamomile. Acid is high but not bracing. Nice, almost creamy finish. Overall, this is balanced and technically very good, straight down the line Chenin Blanc and paired amazingly well with bacon wrapped scallops. Yet, I just wasn’t as excited about this effort compared to previous vintages. The fruit for this bottle was sourced from their estate vineyard in the Mokelumne River AVA which is a relatively recent addition within the larger Lodi AVA. I’m not sure how old this fruit is but I sort of get the sense that the best is yet to come from these vines. Still, very tasty and technically excellent. — 5 years ago

Brian Tuite

9.3

Man I love this wine. — 7 years ago

Erin Merchant

9.0

Bright, smooth, very pleasant to drink. Will be even better in at least a few years. — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.1

I've gotten used to the leaner Mourvèdre from Dirty & Rowdy, Sandlands, et al, so this one surprised me. Very ripe, full bodied and full flavored. Tasty wine, but I probably would have guessed Syrah if tasted blind. 15.3% ABV — 8 years ago

Ryan Mayeda

8.9

light/dry/crisp xmas starter — 9 years ago

Richard Lewis

9.3

Would never have guessed that 1) this was a Scholium wine (probably the most conservative and straightforward of Abe's we've ever tried) and 2) this was 16.2% (quite restrained). — 10 years ago

with Lynne