Sandlands Vineyards
Lodi Zinfandel
Lodi, Central Valley, California, USA
Purple, medium pigment extraction. Aromas of black currant, barrel smoke and a hint of mint-eucalyptus. Raspberry and blackberry flavors with crispness.
Purple, medium pigment extraction. Aromas of black currant, barrel smoke and a hint of mint-eucalyptus. Raspberry and blackberry flavors with crispness.
Dec 31st, 2023
Popped and poured, enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 2. In the glass, the 2019 Sandlands “Lodi” is deep ruby with a translucent core. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, high intensity with dark cherry, ripe bramble fruit, freshly cracked Tellicherry pepper, black licorice, stone, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the mixed fruit set, black pepper and licorice with bergamot and baking spices. The wine is so fresh with one of the sexiest textures you’ll ever encounter in a Zinfandel. The finish is savory and the black pepper note goes "on and on and on, on and on and on, checka check it out to the break of break of dawn" (to quote Naughty by Nature). This is a truly remarkable Zinfandel from Lodi.
Popped and poured, enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 2. In the glass, the 2019 Sandlands “Lodi” is deep ruby with a translucent core. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, high intensity with dark cherry, ripe bramble fruit, freshly cracked Tellicherry pepper, black licorice, stone, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the mixed fruit set, black pepper and licorice with bergamot and baking spices. The wine is so fresh with one of the sexiest textures you’ll ever encounter in a Zinfandel. The finish is savory and the black pepper note goes "on and on and on, on and on and on, checka check it out to the break of break of dawn" (to quote Naughty by Nature). This is a truly remarkable Zinfandel from Lodi.
Dec 15th, 2021
I’m on vacation, so the afternoon demands a glass of something good. This is my first taste of a Sandlands Zinfandel from @ownrooted, who I always assumed was contractually barred from bottling Zin under his own label. Wonderfully fresh and bright with blackberry and boysenberry fruit and a hint of green herbs and black pepper. Fantastic acidity and the faintest of tannins. At 14.4% most CA Zin producers would have said it ain’t ripe, but that’s why it’s got that gulpable, juicy brightness. A perfect afternoon refresher.
I’m on vacation, so the afternoon demands a glass of something good. This is my first taste of a Sandlands Zinfandel from @ownrooted, who I always assumed was contractually barred from bottling Zin under his own label. Wonderfully fresh and bright with blackberry and boysenberry fruit and a hint of green herbs and black pepper. Fantastic acidity and the faintest of tannins. At 14.4% most CA Zin producers would have said it ain’t ripe, but that’s why it’s got that gulpable, juicy brightness. A perfect afternoon refresher.
Feb 17th, 2021
Too young. Much better on day 2.
Too young. Much better on day 2.
Dec 20th, 2020A gorgeous bouquet of bright bramble fruit, anise, and flowers. On the palate, I found this to be quite snappy! Brambles again with licorice and minerals. Medium tannins and high-ish acid. A pleasurable finish. This would work very well with a wide range of meals. At 14.4% ABV, this is very modest for a Lodi Zinfandel...and quite possibly the best I’ve ever had from this area known for its bulk rather than its quality. This proves the area’s potential with aplomb. The fruit for this bottling comes from Sandland’s own Kirschenmann Vineyard, located in the Mokelumne River AVA, which was planted 105 years ago. The soil there is mostly silica so the environment is naturally resistant to phylloxera. As a result, the vines are ungrafted and hence, own-rooted.
A gorgeous bouquet of bright bramble fruit, anise, and flowers. On the palate, I found this to be quite snappy! Brambles again with licorice and minerals. Medium tannins and high-ish acid. A pleasurable finish. This would work very well with a wide range of meals. At 14.4% ABV, this is very modest for a Lodi Zinfandel...and quite possibly the best I’ve ever had from this area known for its bulk rather than its quality. This proves the area’s potential with aplomb. The fruit for this bottling comes from Sandland’s own Kirschenmann Vineyard, located in the Mokelumne River AVA, which was planted 105 years ago. The soil there is mostly silica so the environment is naturally resistant to phylloxera. As a result, the vines are ungrafted and hence, own-rooted.
Nov 22nd, 2020
An impressive first vintage of Tegan’s own zin. Lots of lush fruit, good acidity and balance. This falls stylistically between his version for Turley and say the Arnot-roberts take on this vineyard.
An impressive first vintage of Tegan’s own zin. Lots of lush fruit, good acidity and balance. This falls stylistically between his version for Turley and say the Arnot-roberts take on this vineyard.
Mar 6th, 2021
Fruit bomb. A little more jammy than I would expect from Sandlands.
Fruit bomb. A little more jammy than I would expect from Sandlands.
Dec 28th, 2021
Just delicious- fruity balanced. Worked well with tacos but would be great with all kinds of food. Really, tastes like California.
Just delicious- fruity balanced. Worked well with tacos but would be great with all kinds of food. Really, tastes like California.
Apr 2nd, 2021
Plum, blackberry, bramble, med + acid, fine tannin, looking forward to trying this again with more bottle age 👌
Plum, blackberry, bramble, med + acid, fine tannin, looking forward to trying this again with more bottle age 👌
Dec 7th, 2020