Contra Corriente

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Mataro 2016

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Delicious throughout. The 2016 Contra Costa County pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly black and blue fruit: blackberries, blueberries, plums, Montmorency cherry, purple flowers, black pepper, dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I’m very happy to have holed away some bottles from the first few years of Sandlands. Not only do I believe these older vintages are showing well, but I also believe his newer vintages will be even better. Drink now through 2031. — 17 days ago

Ely, Dave and 10 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Nice restraint tucking some of these away!

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend

A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — 2 months ago

Cline Cellars

Over 100 Years Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel 2022

Soft, fruity but not sweet. Not big but enjoyable — 4 months ago

Three Wine Company

Contra Costa County Old Vines Zinfandel 2019

Classic old vines Contra Costa Zinfandel, brambly, spicy, rich yet not heavy, some heat (15.2%), but it really tastes great with homemade pizza, even in high-90s heat here in NorCal!! — 12 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Jan and 2 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Actually @Dave Clinton, it was more like 97-98, but “it’s a dry heat” — yeah, when I was 30-40 years old, probably true, but as I get older, much over 90 and I wanna curl up in the wine cellar!!
Dave

Dave

I hear that.
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

The humidity the last two weeks here in NoVa has been oppressive. I love me some old vine CC Zin.

Cline Cellars

Single Vineyard Series Big Break Vineyard Small Berry Mourvedre 2019

Second bottle out of 3 of this fascinating, delicious #mourvedre from a deep-rooted, renowned family producer in #sonomacounty. This wine is interesting when it opens up, big eucalyptus, menthol up nose, layered black/purple fruit, dark coffee, nice acidity and some fine grippy tannins. Paired well with an Indian-topped pizza with that bold eucalyptus fruit and acid standing up well to the spicy flavors. #contracostacounty #bigbreakvineyard — 5 months ago

Daniel liked this

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 2022

Balanced and vibrant. Yay Carignane! — 4 months ago

Dan CasagrandeRebecca Anne CasagrandeAngelo Casagrande
with Dan, Rebecca and 1 other
Angelo, Jay and 13 others liked this
Jay Kline

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🙌

Turley

Duarte Vineyard Zinfandel 2017

Somewhat of a dessert wine and post dinner vino. This wine held up with great fruit and complexity. Really nice follow on to 25 year old CdP and high end champagne. Held its own with good concentration and depth. — a month ago

Tom, Bob and 2 others liked this

Once & Future Wines

Oakley Road Vineyard Mataro 2017

I really enjoyed this bottle. It evolved steadily, improving, over a few hours. I had it on pizza night but it could easily pair well with heartier fare. Enjoy now or over the next 5+ years. — a month ago

Shay liked this

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Carignane 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2023 “Contra Costa County” pours, a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black pepper, orange zest, menthol, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the orange citrus notes show a bit more prominently. The finish is medium+, bright and refreshing. 9 barrels produced. Drink now through 2038.  — 4 months ago

Daniel, Ira and 11 others liked this