Sandlands Vineyards
Contra Costa Zinfandel
Contra Costa County, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Only one bottle of this to savor, alas. Some butter with bramble in the nose. Blackberry and black cherry skin and cranberry flavors, dusty with slight black pepper on finish initially. Needs time to open. Some skin astringency on finish with almost soapy aftertaste. Fairly refined character and somewhat atypical flavor profile for the variety, which should be both respected and admired by the drinker. Worth seeking out.
Only one bottle of this to savor, alas. Some butter with bramble in the nose. Blackberry and black cherry skin and cranberry flavors, dusty with slight black pepper on finish initially. Needs time to open. Some skin astringency on finish with almost soapy aftertaste. Fairly refined character and somewhat atypical flavor profile for the variety, which should be both respected and admired by the drinker. Worth seeking out.
Sep 29th, 2026
Opened about 90min before service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2023 Zinfandel CCC pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh, ripe mixed brambles with red and purple flowers, black pepper, dried green herbs and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and packed with minerals. A different experience than my previous bottle a year ago. This needed all the air it could get…and the wait was worth it. Drink now with patience and through 2043.
Opened about 90min before service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2023 Zinfandel CCC pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh, ripe mixed brambles with red and purple flowers, black pepper, dried green herbs and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and packed with minerals. A different experience than my previous bottle a year ago. This needed all the air it could get…and the wait was worth it. Drink now with patience and through 2043.
Mar 15th, 2026Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and fairly consistent throughout. The 2023 Zinfandel CCC pours a deep ruby/purple color with a magenta rim and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black, red and blue fruits: brambles, plum, green herbs, freshly opened beachball, some black pepper and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Drink now through 2033.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and fairly consistent throughout. The 2023 Zinfandel CCC pours a deep ruby/purple color with a magenta rim and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black, red and blue fruits: brambles, plum, green herbs, freshly opened beachball, some black pepper and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Drink now through 2033.
Apr 2nd, 2025Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 CCC pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mixed brambles, kirsch, black pepper, licorice and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A bright, delightfully balanced Zinfandel. Drink now through 2039.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 CCC pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mixed brambles, kirsch, black pepper, licorice and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A bright, delightfully balanced Zinfandel. Drink now through 2039.
1 person found it helpfulJul 21st, 2026
