WTN: 2016 Sandhi Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict

[David M. Bueker]

2016 Sandhi Wines Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (2/9/2020)
First chance to drink a bottle of Sandhi Pinot Noir, and it will not be the last. This is very impressive, from the deep, red fruit, earth, and cinnamon aromatics, through the deep, amply structured palate. It’s surprisingly complex for such a young wine, and it shows real backbone. Could be a candidate for aging, though it’s so good now that’s likely not happening. It’s also an excellent value in the overheated California Pinot Noir marketplace.

This sounds a lot friendlier than the 2012 Rinconada I had a few years ago which I looked forward to because of all the ISOB stuff, but found screechy/tart.

Just curious; what's the alcohol, David?

[David M. Bueker]

I'll check the bottle when I am home.

[David M. Bueker]

Sorry for the delay...13.5%

[Jenise]

Btw, have you had Sandhi's chardonnays? I was *this* close to ordering a '15 off a menu in Nashville.

[David M. Bueker]

Not yet. Have a couple in stock for near-term sampling.

[Jenise]

Picked one up today myself.

[David M. Bueker]

Which one? I have 2016 Bentrock and 2016 Mt. Carmel.

[Jenise]

Straight Santa Barbara, no vineyard designate.

I have tried the 2015 Sandhi Bentrock Chard. and it is one strange wine. It is very herbal in an unidentifiable way and overpowers the fruit. I'll avoid it in the future. from Sta. Rita Hills with 13% abv and a hazy appearance....not refreshing to my palate

[Jenise]

I have tried the 2015 Sandhi Bentrock Chard. and it is one strange wine. It is very herbal in an unidentifiable way and overpowers the fruit. I'll avoid it in the future. from Sta. Rita Hills with 13% abv and a hazy appearance....not refreshing to my palate

Sounds like a flawed bottle, Jim.

We drank the straight Santa Barbara County '15 last night. Loved it. Nicely developed now five years out with a creamy green apple thing that reminds me of many SB county chardonnays I've loved. Could be my favorite expression of chardonnay in California--at least, for one that I repeatedly encounter from various producers.

[David M. Bueker]

Sipping on the 2016 Bentrock Chardonnay right now, and it’s bright, focused, and crystalline pure.

I have always been a bit skeptical of Raj Parr and his various projects, but Sandhi seems to be the real deal.

I opened another bottle of the 2015 Sandhi Bentrock Chard. last night to see if Jenise was right and the first bottle was flawed. It was crystal clear but otherwise identical to my first bottle. My wife loved it and I still thought it weird. Not a style I enjoy.

[Jenise]

I opened another bottle of the 2015 Sandhi Bentrock Chard. last night to see if Jenise was right and the first bottle was flawed. It was crystal clear but otherwise identical to my first bottle. My wife loved it and I still thought it weird. Not a style I enjoy.

Your wife is a good woman.