Purple fading to garnet; rim variation consistent with age. Bottle had been vertical for 5 days, yet clarity was lacking on Day 1. Heavy sediment, but noted that decanting was recommended, and we didn't decant. By Days 2 & 3, clarity had much improved. Medium legs. Aromas of red and black fruit dominate: strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, raspberry, red currant. Spices are subtle: clove and dill. On the palate, intensity is greater than aromas. Medium + body, linear texture, medium finish. wine finishes medium. Medium acidity. Impression: very nice effort. But like all Sandlands tried thus far, QPR is below average. They make good wine, but value is lacking. $37 with tax & shipping. Drink now or in 2022, and decanting recommended.
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A bit too lean and tart for my liking. Bitter finish is distracting too. Carignane really needs to be used as a low to mid percentage blending grape and not a standalone varietal.
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the cork was soft and the wine was almost all the way through the cork. so not sure how much longer it would have lasted. A very nice soft wine which is dialed back and very soft. did not hold hold to a second day.
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Crimson in color. 13.4% ABV. Rustic nose of red fruits, earth, iron and minerals. Dry and somewhat austere. Bing cherry, salmonberry, blood and earth on the palate. The finish is long and dry with a touch of tannin. If you a fan of dialed back, restrained wines that are somewhat of a throwback to a previous era of California winemaking then Sandlands will be right in your wheelhouse. Delicious and unique. Best over the next 2-4 years.
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Started off earthy and red fruited but after a 30 minute decant showed slightly darker fruit, red pepper, herbal quality and a slightly roasted character of mocha/coffee. Good lift and acid on the finish.
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Beautiful fresh red and black fruit. Lingering mineral finish. Reminds me of cru Beaujolais. Not carbonic. Rounds out with time. Well balanced. A beautiful companion to roast chicken.
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A thoroughly crushable offering received through allocation from Sandlands, a small production winery focusing on classic but oft overshadowed or forgotten varietals in California. In the case of their California Carignane, fruit is sourced from Lodi and Contra Costa County from own-rooted vines planted between 1920 and 1936 (!!!). That’s incredible in itself, but the wine is also pretty darn good. The wine was juicy as heck, though somewhat tart, starting off with strawberry, sour cherry, and wild raspberry. Vanilla and sweet spice followed, along with hints of rose petals and candied fruit. With some time, notes of pepper, slate, and wet soil showed though, providing a pleasant balance to that initial juiciness. From there, it settled into a slight fuller, richer sense of chocolate and spice cake that carried on through the finish. Throughout tasting, the wine did show an oddly notable butter/dairy note; not off-putting necessarily, but a bit unexpected. This was not a complicated bottle, certainly, but it was still quite expressive and most definitely enjoyable – a producer to keep an eye on for sure (though sadly not yet available in Alberta…).
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Dark ruby color, aromatic nose of red fruits. This was a really lovely balanced wine, red fruit, earth, some herbal notes and great acidity. Can only imagine that this will improve with age but it is also drinking very nicely now. Need to get on this list.
13.4% abv. Dark ruby, expressive aromas. Plums, pomegranate, tart cherry leather and meat. Medium depth and length. This is an energetic red that will benefit from a few years in the cellar.
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13.4% abv. Dark ruby, moderately expressive aromatics. On the palate, cherries, plums, herbs and spices. Good depth, lingering aftertaste. Delicious wine with a savory element. Superb value.
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2/6/2024 - rama wrote:
Carignane is a bit too austere for me, I've learned. Also, anyone else think this has some volatility?
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11/26/2023 - Aunt Esther wrote: 87 Points
Solid table wine at this point, not something to sit with other than to scratch the carignan itch. If that’s something you’re dealing with.
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10/16/2021 - ISOPinot Likes this wine: 86 Points
Purple fading to garnet; rim variation consistent with age. Bottle had been vertical for 5 days, yet clarity was lacking on Day 1. Heavy sediment, but noted that decanting was recommended, and we didn't decant. By Days 2 & 3, clarity had much improved. Medium legs. Aromas of red and black fruit dominate: strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, raspberry, red currant. Spices are subtle: clove and dill. On the palate, intensity is greater than aromas. Medium + body, linear texture, medium finish. wine finishes medium. Medium acidity. Impression: very nice effort. But like all Sandlands tried thus far, QPR is below average. They make good wine, but value is lacking. $37 with tax & shipping. Drink now or in 2022, and decanting recommended.
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4/9/2021 - bound4er Does not like this wine: 84 Points
A bit too lean and tart for my liking. Bitter finish is distracting too. Carignane really needs to be used as a low to mid percentage blending grape and not a standalone varietal.
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10/9/2020 - mdahar wrote: 90 Points
the cork was soft and the wine was almost all the way through the cork. so not sure how much longer it would have lasted.
A very nice soft wine which is dialed back and very soft. did not hold hold to a second day.
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1/4/2020 - MartyL wrote: 89 Points
Just ok. Drinkable and pleasant but not particularly memorable.
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8/6/2019 - tomlee wrote: 91 Points
Crimson in color. 13.4% ABV. Rustic nose of red fruits, earth, iron and minerals. Dry and somewhat austere. Bing cherry, salmonberry, blood and earth on the palate. The finish is long and dry with a touch of tannin. If you a fan of dialed back, restrained wines that are somewhat of a throwback to a previous era of California winemaking then Sandlands will be right in your wheelhouse. Delicious and unique. Best over the next 2-4 years.
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8/5/2019 - khmark7 wrote: 89 Points
Much prefer this over the 2014. More classic Carignane character in the aromatics.
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11/5/2018 - qcwino wrote:
Started off earthy and red fruited but after a 30 minute decant showed slightly darker fruit, red pepper, herbal quality and a slightly roasted character of mocha/coffee. Good lift and acid on the finish.
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8/29/2017 - jdcarucci Likes this wine:
Beautiful fresh red and black fruit. Lingering mineral finish. Reminds me of cru Beaujolais. Not carbonic. Rounds out with time. Well balanced. A beautiful companion to roast chicken.
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8/17/2017 - Wine Ratings Likes this wine: 89 Points
A thoroughly crushable offering received through allocation from Sandlands, a small production winery focusing on classic but oft overshadowed or forgotten varietals in California. In the case of their California Carignane, fruit is sourced from Lodi and Contra Costa County from own-rooted vines planted between 1920 and 1936 (!!!). That’s incredible in itself, but the wine is also pretty darn good. The wine was juicy as heck, though somewhat tart, starting off with strawberry, sour cherry, and wild raspberry. Vanilla and sweet spice followed, along with hints of rose petals and candied fruit. With some time, notes of pepper, slate, and wet soil showed though, providing a pleasant balance to that initial juiciness. From there, it settled into a slight fuller, richer sense of chocolate and spice cake that carried on through the finish. Throughout tasting, the wine did show an oddly notable butter/dairy note; not off-putting necessarily, but a bit unexpected. This was not a complicated bottle, certainly, but it was still quite expressive and most definitely enjoyable – a producer to keep an eye on for sure (though sadly not yet available in Alberta…).
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7/3/2017 - retired_and_roving Likes this wine:
Dark ruby color, aromatic nose of red fruits. This was a really lovely balanced wine, red fruit, earth, some herbal notes and great acidity. Can only imagine that this will improve with age but it is also drinking very nicely now. Need to get on this list.
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6/3/2017 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 89 Points
13.4% abv. Dark ruby, expressive aromas. Plums, pomegranate, tart cherry leather and meat. Medium depth and length. This is an energetic red that will benefit from a few years in the cellar.
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4/20/2017 - mhauser Likes this wine:
Delicious. Light and fruity, like gamay, but more depth.
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3/16/2017 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
13.4% abv. Dark ruby, moderately expressive aromatics. On the palate, cherries, plums, herbs and spices. Good depth, lingering aftertaste. Delicious wine with a savory element. Superb value.
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