2021 Sandlands Zinfandel, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This bottle has some serious Brettanomyces issues.  I am usually pretty tolerant but this was near my limits.  Almost undrinkable on day one, it was allowed to breathe over night and while still present, it was tolerable (for me) on day 2.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and slightly flat.  On the nose, there is a lot of barnyard/band-aid aromas.  There is some fruit underneath but it is hard to get to.  On day two, the barnyard is more in the background and the nose is more about clay and band-aid along with some black cherries.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the pa

2020 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Lodi, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Sandlands is a winery that I encourage my friends to get on their mailing list.  Chenin Blanc is a huge favorite of mine and Sandlands makes a few all are great and great values.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with red apples, orange peel and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is deep but also drinks well.  The red apples come thru with underlying minerality.  Good finish.  I tend to drink these young, but I would bet they could go for another ten years or more.  Great on its own, but better with food.  This is a nice choice with sp

2019 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Lodi, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Sandlands makes some of the best Chenin Blancs in America.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with minerality/crushed shells, some lemon and lanolin.  Light to medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this young.  Vibrant.  The minerality continues thru but the lemon is more persistent.  Long finish.  Tasty.  This is nice on its own and should work well with all but the heaviest meat dishes.  It worked very well with Hunan food.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2021 Stel + Mar Premium Chardonnay, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a relatively new release.  It is an inexpensive ($14), easy to drink Chardonnay that is a great choice for parties and events.  Pale green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has hay, slight spice, slight grapefruit, and some green apple.  Medium bodied.  Low acidity.  On the palate, there is some minerality.  An interesting lanolin note, along with spice and slight butterscotch.  A bit more lime returns for the finish.  This is the kind of wine that works well with a diverse crowd.  It drinks well on its own.  Attractive packaging.  

2017 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Lodi

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$46.00USD

As I said in a prior review. Sandlands makes my favorite US Chanin Blanc.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice  with wax, orange peel, minerals and slight lemon.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a nice depth.  The orange peel comes thru with a slight waxy note.  Good energy.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This drank great on its own after a tasting of 12 different Lodi Zins.  It really cut thru and cleaned the palate and was delicious.  drink over the next seven to ten years.  This is one mailing list I highly recommend that you join.  

2012 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

Nice to try this with a bit more age on it.  Purple in color with some dark brown mix, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show some black raspberries, dust and just a touch of cider.  On the palate, this has prunes along with a bit of green tomatoes although it is much better than that sounds.  It probably should be drunk up.  This works on its own and would work with a meat based stew.  

2017 Mt. Luxxe Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

I liked this (more than the people I was tasting with).  It is more claret styled than fruit filled.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has light cherry notes with a touch of smoke.  On the palate, a nice texture.  Tart and fresh cherries, slight pie filling.  Slight tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This wine will do better with food.  Chili would work well.  Drink over the next few years.  

2016 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Old Ghost, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

This is one of the consistently better Zinfandels from Lodi.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries and coffee along with a bit of an herbal streak.  Full bodied.  On the palate this has light tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Maybe a bit of dates.  A bit of late heat on the finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with a steak or a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2016 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with sour cherries.  On the palate, this has a nice texture, but the palate lacks.  There is a bit of a tomato paste note along with some cough syrup.  It seems a bit thinner on fruit though there is some cherry quality.  A bit of menthol/alcohol on the finish.  Others I drank this with liked it more than I.  Drink in the next few years. It might work better with some spicy chicken wings.  

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