Sandlands

Amador County Chenin Blanc

9.2741 ratings
9.2298 pro ratings
Amador County, Sierra Foothills, California, USA
Chenin Blanc
Turkey, Vanilla & Caramel, Fruit & Berries, Exotic Spices, Salads & Greens, Pate, Potato, Tomato-Based, Chicken, Fruit Desserts, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pungent Cheese, Squash & Root Vegetables, Goat & Feta Cheese, Cheddar & Gruyere, Sweet Potato, Yuca, Taro, Baking Spices, Chili & Hot Spicy, Nuts & Seeds, Soft Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Quinoa, Shellfish, Sweet Potato
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Significantly better on Day 2 as the wine completely opened up. The 2021 Amador County pours a pale yellow color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean; developing with notes of golden apples, quince, lemon verbena, white tree flower, lanolin, and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with super sneaky, high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a woolly texture. Lovely stuff. Drink now with patience and a lot of air otherwise better after 2026 and should be great through 2035.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Significantly better on Day 2 as the wine completely opened up. The 2021 Amador County pours a pale yellow color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean; developing with notes of golden apples, quince, lemon verbena, white tree flower, lanolin, and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with super sneaky, high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a woolly texture. Lovely stuff. Drink now with patience and a lot of air otherwise better after 2026 and should be great through 2035.

Apr 14th, 2024
Jay Kline

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 "Amador County" pours a slightly hazy, pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of lemons, chamomile, lanolin, lime blossom, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and loaded with minerals. Balanced and ever so fresh. This was a killer accompaniment with our Friendsgiving lunch in the office and worked well with turkey. Drinking now through 2031. Only two 500L puncheons produced.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 "Amador County" pours a slightly hazy, pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of lemons, chamomile, lanolin, lime blossom, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and loaded with minerals. Balanced and ever so fresh. This was a killer accompaniment with our Friendsgiving lunch in the office and worked well with turkey. Drinking now through 2031. Only two 500L puncheons produced.

Nov 21st, 2023
David Shaw

Xxx

Xxx

Jun 15th, 2023
David Shaw

Yellow, slightly golden, excellent clarity. Sun-dried linen aroma (though less than in previous vintages). Dried apricot and lemon peel flavors. Tart on initial pour, softens somewhat with decanting. Some calcium or mineral character on finish. Pair with food, like Rosti potatoes and grilled veggies like we did.

Yellow, slightly golden, excellent clarity. Sun-dried linen aroma (though less than in previous vintages). Dried apricot and lemon peel flavors. Tart on initial pour, softens somewhat with decanting. Some calcium or mineral character on finish. Pair with food, like Rosti potatoes and grilled veggies like we did.

Mar 6th, 2023
Jay Kline

Opened about an hour before our Thanksgiving dinner; a preamble of sorts. At these early stages, the 2020 Amador County is like a laser beam of lemon citrus. Yes, there are lemon blossoms and minerals too. The acid is racy and there is a bit of a wooly texture too. Exciting now due to its youthful energy but should be fun for several years to come.

Opened about an hour before our Thanksgiving dinner; a preamble of sorts. At these early stages, the 2020 Amador County is like a laser beam of lemon citrus. Yes, there are lemon blossoms and minerals too. The acid is racy and there is a bit of a wooly texture too. Exciting now due to its youthful energy but should be fun for several years to come.

Nov 24th, 2022
Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.1

I had this two years ago and it tasted like alcohol and water. Wierd for a 12% abv wine? Now it’s pretty special. Beaming with acidity and really pretty stone fruit. Shows varietal character but not too cheesie like chenin can be. Reminds me of a boudignon Anjou or so. Really nice teagen!!!!

I had this two years ago and it tasted like alcohol and water. Wierd for a 12% abv wine? Now it’s pretty special. Beaming with acidity and really pretty stone fruit. Shows varietal character but not too cheesie like chenin can be. Reminds me of a boudignon Anjou or so. Really nice teagen!!!!

Oct 7th, 2022
Craig Haarmeyer

Legit

Feb 13th, 2022
David Shaw

And another tasting of the same vintage. Gotta get me more wines to taste, methinks

And another tasting of the same vintage. Gotta get me more wines to taste, methinks

Feb 7th, 2022
David Shaw

Second tasting of vintage

Second tasting of vintage

Jan 24th, 2022
David Shaw

Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Sun dried linen aroma, though less intense than in previous vintages. Lemon and nectarine flavors, slightly tart. Mellows after an hour decanting with chalky mouthfeel on finish. Pairs surprisingly well with hummus and salmon with mint-cacao nib sauce.

Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Sun dried linen aroma, though less intense than in previous vintages. Lemon and nectarine flavors, slightly tart. Mellows after an hour decanting with chalky mouthfeel on finish. Pairs surprisingly well with hummus and salmon with mint-cacao nib sauce.

Dec 14th, 2021