Sandlands
Contra Costa County Red Table Wine
Contra Costa County, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Poured into a decanter for about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 RTW CCC pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of mixed brambles, purple flowers, Fig Newtons, black pepper, dried green herbs, and silica rich, rocky 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 comes across like laser cut steel. Drink now with patience through 2038.
Poured into a decanter for about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 RTW CCC pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of mixed brambles, purple flowers, Fig Newtons, black pepper, dried green herbs, and silica rich, rocky 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 comes across like laser cut steel. Drink now with patience through 2038.
Feb 27th, 2026
This really does live into the moniker “Red Table Wine.” 100 year old vines. Pure sand vineyards. 75% Carignane 35% Mataro. No one varietal stands out. It’s just gutsy and deep and balanced and good. Little bit of everything: ripe fruit, earth, spice, acids, tannin.
This really does live into the moniker “Red Table Wine.” 100 year old vines. Pure sand vineyards. 75% Carignane 35% Mataro. No one varietal stands out. It’s just gutsy and deep and balanced and good. Little bit of everything: ripe fruit, earth, spice, acids, tannin.
Sep 7th, 2025Balanced and vibrant. Yay Carignane!
Balanced and vibrant. Yay Carignane!
Mar 16th, 2025Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of five days and consistent throughout. The 2022 Contra Costa County pours a deep ruby color with an opaque core, medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with predominant notes of black fruit: black plum, blackberry, black cherry, some strawberry, licorice, dried green herbs, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium and the fruit has an almost crunchy texture. This is such a versatile red wine and I don’t know that I could ever really get enough of it. Drink now through 2032.
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of five days and consistent throughout. The 2022 Contra Costa County pours a deep ruby color with an opaque core, medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with predominant notes of black fruit: black plum, blackberry, black cherry, some strawberry, licorice, dried green herbs, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium and the fruit has an almost crunchy texture. This is such a versatile red wine and I don’t know that I could ever really get enough of it. Drink now through 2032.
Nov 30th, 2024
Ruby red, moderate pigment extraction. Moderate tannins so plenty of mouthfeel initially, flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry, mostly. Needs time to open. Finish of tart raspberries. Plenty of age left in this one.
Ruby red, moderate pigment extraction. Moderate tannins so plenty of mouthfeel initially, flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry, mostly. Needs time to open. Finish of tart raspberries. Plenty of age left in this one.
Jun 14th, 2024Lavender, blackberry and a little funk in nose in initial pour. Dense ruby red. Light body, slight skin astringency finish. Needs some time to open. Fairly tart. Raspberry flavor emerges first, then cherry. 24 hours later, fresh table grape character and seed tannins predominate. This is a solid light tasting table red with plenty of tannins for aging. I do find I miss the Zinfandel portion from earlier vintages but get more bottles of these and the style will grow on you
Lavender, blackberry and a little funk in nose in initial pour. Dense ruby red. Light body, slight skin astringency finish. Needs some time to open. Fairly tart. Raspberry flavor emerges first, then cherry. 24 hours later, fresh table grape character and seed tannins predominate. This is a solid light tasting table red with plenty of tannins for aging. I do find I miss the Zinfandel portion from earlier vintages but get more bottles of these and the style will grow on you
Jan 30th, 2024Popped and poured; consumed over several hours. The 2021 “Contra Costa County” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of brambles, strawberries, blueberries, dusty books, purple flowers, crushed gravel and the softest of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and grippy. Having some experience pairing Sandlands RTW’s with various meals, I can state with some confidence that the Lodi versions are better designed for lighter fare while the Contra Costa County versions are designed for heartier meals. Drink now with patience and through 2033.
Popped and poured; consumed over several hours. The 2021 “Contra Costa County” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of brambles, strawberries, blueberries, dusty books, purple flowers, crushed gravel and the softest of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and grippy. Having some experience pairing Sandlands RTW’s with various meals, I can state with some confidence that the Lodi versions are better designed for lighter fare while the Contra Costa County versions are designed for heartier meals. Drink now with patience and through 2033.
Nov 23rd, 2023