Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Medium Ruby color with layered aromas of fresh berry fruits with floral and woodsy spice notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and ripe raspberry with cigar box, oak, black tea, citrus, cola and herb floral notes. Well balanced, savory fine tannins, long finish ending with oaky earthy notes. Nice! — a month ago

Janet Coleman

8.9

Big, bold and fruity. Nice chili wine! — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Hendricks Pinot from the Doctors Vineyard in Santa Lucia. 11 barrels made. 22 months in French oak. I don’t know what everyone is used to but a Pinot 22 months in French oak is far more rare than common. This is my first look from the four bottles I’ve stored. Roughly eight years is the timing for first look.

This may be the best CA Pinot I have consistently yr over yr. The fruit is ripe, dry-ish, slightly tart; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, notes of blueberries, raspberries, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful mid spices, nutmeg, cinnamon-cinnamon stick, vanillin, mid to dark berry cola, dry brush, dry clay, loamy, limestone volcanics, dark, dry soil, dark chocolate baking bar, crushed dry rocks, notes of not quite eucalyptus, tree bark w/ sap, fresh & slightly withering, dark, red, blue florals framed in subtle violets, near perfect acidity with a nicely structured, well balanced, velvety/silky, consistent wire to wire finish that lasts a minute and half. Simply amazing palate.

Good first look but better things ahead for my next bottle(s). Another 15 plus years of half drinking ahead.

Happy Labor Day weekend. — 8 months ago

Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2017 Vintage on 3/1-2-24. Medium Garnett in color. Black cherry and cinnamon on the bouquet. Black cherry, black raspberry and cardamom on the palate. Some oak and earth as well. Medium bodied. Unmistakable California Pinot Noir. Very good. — 2 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2021 Pinot Noir is outrageously beautiful. A vivid, sweeping wine, the 2021 captures all the best qualities of this rugged site. Blue/black fruit, cloves, licorice, menthol, lavender and chocolate all build effortlessly, amplified by the wine's natural intensity and volume. The 2021 is a big, rich wine, but it is also not overdone in any way. Jeff and Mark Pisoni blend their estate Pinot using blocks from the five main soil types found across the property. This is quintessential Pisoni. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023)
— 5 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, mossy earth, licorice and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — a year ago

Leo Gentile

9.1

Pale garnet color with a hint of brick. No oxidation on the nose. Subdued fruity nose. Delicious black raspberry and other berries with supple tannins. Finish is incredibly long. Glad I have more of this vintage. Enjoying at home with poached Faroe Island salmon and spinach in EVOO garlic and red pepper flakes. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days and brought the business all three days. The 2021 Syrah SLH pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, soaring black and blue fruits (can smell from 4’ away!): blackberries and blueberries, lavender pastilles, black olive brine, lardons, a touch of black pepper and rounded out by some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and flush with tart black and blue fruits. Fresh and full of character, this Sandlands Syrah will enjoy a long life. Really fresh, vibrant and enjoyable now but, to my palate, I think this will be even more enjoyable after 2026 and drink well through 2036. #gbr #punchedourtickettotampa — 5 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Incredibly rich but still a delicious Pinot. Herbal aromas of tarragon and spice surround the core of stewed strawberries and black cherry. Palate is dense with creamy tannins and quite a bit of new oak is present. Vanilla, Cherry, and cola on the 30+ second finish. I’ll wait another couple years to open the next one. — 9 months ago

with Angelina

Charlie Tapp

9.0

Black cherry, rosemary and clove. — 2 years ago