Contra Costa County Red Table Wine

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.

Last bottle of vintage

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.

Revisiting the vintage

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

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.

The last bottle from my cellar. No formal notes. This has become more black fruited; structure remains status quo. Apropos, this remains an delicious wine that begs for food. The RTW series from CCC and Lodi continue to be one of the wines I look forward to most each year. Drink now and over through 2030.

The 2020 Red Wine (Contra Costa County) is notable because of its complexity. Nothing in particular stands out, all the elements are so harmoniously put together. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol are some of the notes that open with a bit of air, but more than anything, I admire the energy and delineation leading into a finish of real substance. The blend is 65% Carignane and 35% Mataro. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023)

Crunchy and fresh red fruits this was great over 4 nights going back and forth to it. Simple but well made, the acidity have this nice energy.

First experience with the 2020 Contra Costa County RTW. Popped and poured for our guests; enjoyed over a four hour period. The RTW pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core and moderate staining of the tears. Medium viscosity. On the nose, bright, crunchy, red bramble, fruit dominate. Very primary. This is consistent with the freshness I have come to expect from Sandlands. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the bright red bramble fruit combining nicely with minerals. The most striking characteristic, however, is the structure. This is far and away the most tannic RTW from Sandlands yet. I feel as though this example may need some time to chill out to show its very best but the quality is there and it’s already a joy to drink. This years example consists of 65% Carignane and the balance Mataro planted a little over 100 years ago. 12 barrels produced.