July 10, 2021 - Significant but integrated reduction, citrus, crushed stone. Tart citrus on the palate, bright acidity, vibrant. You have to be in the mood for this reductive, mineral, high acid style – but if you are, Sandhi's 2014 Bentrock is great.
May 17, 2021 - Cant decide on whether this is reduction or not. This wine is brimming with character though and a sweet California coastal magic causing you to utter the words out loud Santa Rita hiLLLLLLLLLZZZZZZZZZZ thanks to the legendary pacific dining car wine cellar auction for charging but a song for the case!
March 21, 2021 - Wow, I really liked this wine. The nose had notes of Creme Brulee with a hint of vanilla. The palate was very pleasing with a toasty note and present acidity. Finish was pleasing and this was a beautiful wine with food and for sipping.
January 31, 2020 - Very good, much like my last bottle half a year ago.
November 12, 2019 - Super-reductive, a bit heavy-handed in fact, but I have to say that together with the wine's acidity it worked well. Notes of citrus and mild herbs, good texture and energy. Not a style I can recommend generally, but on that night Sandhi pulled it off.
October 16, 2019 - Domaine de la Côte New Release Tasting and Dinner Hosted by Raj Parr (Manhatta Restaurant, NYC): Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Raj commented that this was his favorite of the Chards he has made. Served together with the Clos Juliet 2014 with the first course of Lobster Crêpe. Only 105 cases produced. Also quite reduced at first with smokey matchstick but then giving way to a rich, somewhat crystalline and layered wine with lemon/citrus, stone fruit, flint, creamy vanilla and a little caramel note on the long and textured finish that is highlighted with saline and lemon. Bright and energetic yet chewy and elegant. This was a great counterpoint to the Lobster crêpe. Very Lafon/Meursault-like.
June 21, 2019 - Sandhi Bentrock 2014:
Golden color. Crystal clear. Nose is multifaceted with lots of gooseberries, crushed granite, butter and hints of caramel and popcorn.
Palate is initially completely closed. Lets wait an hour.
After an hour the wine starts to open up a bit. Lemons and fresh fruit emerges on the palate. Very delightful and playful palate, but still a bit tight. Slowly it opens wider up into a lemon tree full of power and concentration. At five years of age this wine is still an infant trying to learn to crawl. But what amazing crawl it is!
After three hours on the decanter the crawl has turned into a stride. This boy is up running! The nose is pretty much the same, but the palate is intense. Immense concentration, utterly clean and delicious palate devoid of nothing.
Will really like to see where this wine ends up, given at least 5 more years. This kid is going places.
50+5+13+17+8 (93p)
January 22, 2019 - Matchstick reduction, lemon, white peach, and crushed stone. The reduction is nicely integrated, flint interlaced with citrus, racey acidity keeping things lively. The 2014 Bentrock is very good but, boy, imagine when these vines have some age on them.
November 3, 2018 - Drank with Jonathan. Give this wine ample time to open up 2+ hours and consume at 55-60 degrees. Initially (first few hours) is just gunpowder and flint.
But after a few hours, the flint is not as robust, and becomes integrated with a beautiful bouquet of green and yellow unripe fruit. Mouthfeel is very velvety and the acidity shines through like bright lightning. Amazing wine, just give it time!!!!!!!
June 18, 2018 - Matchstick reduction, lemon, and stone. This certainly is a reductive wine but no more than PYCM in fact I find this similar to the 2015 Bentrock that received so much acclaim. Soft, plush texture, finishing with an attractive saline minerality.