Sandlands Vineyards Carignane

Popped and poured, consumed over the course of a few hours. The 2020 Carignane from Sandlands pours a deep ruby/magenta color with a translucent core. Medium viscosity with very light staining of the tears. On the nose, raspberries, licorice, and the smell of wet asphalt on a warm day. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium, bordering medium+ acid; confirming the fruit and non-fruit character on the nose. The finish is medium+ with loads of minerals. The words “fresh” and “pure” are two words that come to mind; two words rarely associated Lodi and yet, here we are. Leave it to Teagan…just wow. The source of the fruit comes from an own-rooted vineyard in the Mokelumne River AVA that was planted 120 years ago…which is crazy. This drinks so well right now with some air.

My first experience with the 2020 Carignan. The wine pours a beautiful, bright ruby, color with medium+ viscosity, and a transparent core. Despite the transparency, there is decent staining of of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is expressive with very pretty aromatics. Dark fruits, red flowers, and stony earth mostly. On the palate, the fruits are more red in profile with crunchy cranberries and slightly tart raspberries. Loads of minerals. Medium tannin with medium plus acid. The signature Sandlands freshness presides. The finish…is a touch bitter…but the overall package is there. It’s super primary and crushable now but should be pretty fun to drink through 2030.