Ryme Cellars

Testa Vineyard Carignane

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

Jonathan, Anthony and 2 others liked this

Sandlands

Sonoma County Carignane 2015

Robert McNally

9.3

Gad zooks batman — 8 years ago

Three Wine Company

Live Oak Contra Costa County Zinfandel 2013

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

"Odedi", Jonathan and 4 others liked this

Angelo Casagrande

I rate Zinny (the big Z!) a 10.

Sandlands

Amador County Syrah 2012

Doctor No

9.2

Elegant, a bit animale, touch of tapenade and rich, red meat. Closest Cali gets to Cote Rotie — 10 years ago

Anthony liked this

Rudius

Bedrock Vineyard Mourvèdre 2012

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

Severn, Velma and 14 others liked this

Pinotman /// Andreas

I wonder if they used unnatural designer yeast to get to this %. Or somehow they managed.

Steve Anderson

@Andreas Termin, Ph. D. My guess is it was more likely a warm site, late pick scenario. I couldn't find any harvest notes from Rudius, but the Carlisle Winery notes for their version of this wine indicate a pick on October 12th at 25 brix, with an ABV of 14.9%. The Bedrock Vineyard is on the valley floor near Glenn Ellen and can get quite warm.

Sandlands

Napa Valley Chenin Blanc 2013

Ryan Mayeda

8.9

light/dry/crisp xmas starter — 9 years ago

Scholium Project

Sandlands Carignane 2010

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

Chris liked this

Calder Wine Company

Napa Valley Chenin Blanc

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

David, leon and 16 others liked this

David From The 504

Never heard of this, interesting label.. what's the price point?

Carl Fischer

@David From The 504 - under 25 bucks!

Sandlands

California Mataro 2010

Josh Grove

9.3

California showing how great it can be. — 8 years ago

Spinning_spins and Laura liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

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. — 9 years ago

with Dan and Steve

Chris, Stef and 27 others liked this

Steve Anderson

Excellent note Bill - just a follow up that this was the Horseshoe. 🍷

Bill Bender

Yes that's what the label reads.....correction made. Nice to have the option to do that now. Thanks again for your generosity and easing us in to the big reds Tuscan.