Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard

I have drunk Sandler Pinots in the past. They are subtle wines. But this Dr. Robert’s cuvée has power. The bouquet has black fruits blended with forest floor. This wine had a 30 minute decant. At first the tannins were pronounced. But by my third glass (after dinner with Oreo cookies) they were soft and pleasant. The finish has a touch of sweetness and d nice length.

2017 vintage

Popped and poured at cellar temp. Lovely translucent red color, beautiful nose of cranberry, limestone and red licorice. Gorgeous sweet attack with red and black fruit, balanced with nice acid on the finish. I think this is at its peak, but Ed’s wines can surprise with their age ability. I think I paid $25 for this bottle on a Berserker Day special, and this will compete with California Pinot noirs at 5 times the cost.

2017 vintage

I've had quite a few bottles of Sandler over the years and this is the first one that I've had that was corked. It wasn't even that bad, but with the light body of this particular bottling, it wasn't drinkable. Too bad, as Sandler wines are a fantastic bottle and I've enjoyed them so many times.

2017 vintage

All I can write is to echo Fingers most excellent, earlier review below 👇.

2017 vintage

As usual, darn good wine. Surprisingly light in color and maybe the lightest I've seen in a Sandler. N: Again, lighter in nose than usual. Elegant cranberry, strawberry, rose petal and a light herb profile. P: Same as the nose, with great balance and acidity. Minimal tannin, but very balanced. F: Medium with a soft elegance that seemed quite different than the bigger styles that I've enjoyed from this house. Went well by itself or with the herb roasted chicken …

2017 vintage

Not a detailed note due to sharing at a party, but I’ll echo the comments that say this is a complex and thoughtful Pinot and a fine value.

2017 vintage

The darker spectrum of the pinot noir color scale, this has amber edges. Nose of super fragrant wild dark near-ripened strawberries, C.Howards gum and slight menthol. Palate seems nicely resolved with an undertoned tannic structure. Red-black fruit profile; it comes off wanting to be a serious Pinot and a definate departure of most I have had from Ed's lineup. It is interesting but comes a wee-bit short on mouthfeel. A style on it's own, and if served blind I might …

2017 vintage

Followed this bottle over three days open but it was good from the pop. There's a bit of a feral aspect to this which will not be to everyone's liking, but I think it adds some interest and complexity to the picture. It definitely shows more persistence and depth than several months ago and I wouldn't describe this as thin or light in any way. I'd also say it has a nice "crunchy" character to go along with all that …

2017 vintage

Second bottle, and somewhat different from the first which was only 5 weeks ago. First off, the color is younger and much more ruby than garnet. The bouquet more expressive and complex, with oodles of berries and spices to contemplate and that carry through a long, distinctive finish. Alcohol is virtually undetectable. I can't complain about bottle variation when both bottles are nice :) 5+12+17+9= 93

2017 vintage

Notes after following for two nights open. Lightly saturated tawny, almost brown color, no sediment or haze. Generous bouquet of cherries and plum, dried apricot, lavender, fig paste, date, cocoa, and moist soil. I appreciate, as always, the texture and mouthfeel that I get from Ed's wines and this one fully keeps up the tradition. You can sense the acidity, but I would never call the wines acidic. Even though I believe the wine is fine to drink now, I …

2017 vintage

PnP and had with Pizza. Another really solid effort. Dry red fruit, with mouthwatering acidity. Lighter in body, went well with the meal and was just what we were looking for

2017 vintage

Splash decanted. Ripe raspberry, baking spice and some oak and earthy notes. Medium + body, soft, body, sappy mouthfeel. Long finish. Still young, this should continue to improve.

2017 vintage

I’m not sure how many different wines are produced from Bien Nacido fruit, but this one just seems so sincere and genuinely true-to-place that I promise to up my annual buy on the next offer. Love this stuff.

2017 vintage

After an hour open and served at a cool 62 degrees. Light dusty ruby color, almost rose', with fast legs and no sediment. Medium bouquet of macerating cherries, cocoa powder, light florals. The palate has a wonderfully soft texture yet no lack of acidic verve. There's simple berry pie and cola flavors with those nice chocolate notes that lead into a lightly spiced finish. 5+11+18+9= 93 I have come to expect that my expectations will be exceeded whenever I open …

2017 vintage

Extremely light in color but full of depth on the palate. Almost looks like a rose but this had tons of crunchy red berries, the oak is starting to integrate but can poke out here and there. Surprisingly cohesive and enjoyed by all.

2017 vintage

PnP. This pours a translucent red with some significant bricking. Don’t be fooled by this. The palate is powerful. Cranberry, cranberry and cranberry with a layer of spice and faint earth. Wonderful QPR.

2017 vintage

Drinking perfectly, with loads of cranberry and spice. Probably the best Sandler pinot I've ever had. 91-92.

2017 vintage

Pop and pour and tasted with food (chicken cutlets and pasta with pesto, in case you were wondering). Ruby red color. Nose of brown spice and forest floor with some red berries. Nice intro of fresh red berries, followed by an earthy note, framed with some nice brown spices (think nutmeg, mace). The earthy aspects gives depth to the wine. Well done. Enjoyable.

2017 vintage

Popped and poured. Medium ruby color. Nose of ripe, almost candied red cherries and raspberries, some floral aromas and a decent amount of sweet toasty oak and vanilla but not overpowering the bright fruit. Candied red fruits on the palate with a juicy mouthfeel and smooth finish. Definitely my favorite of the 2017 Sandler pinots I have had as this one seemed to have the most bright fruit and wasn't overly ripe or oaked.

2017 vintage

Medium light bodied with Tart bright cherry. Good but perhaps this needs a little time. Better in prior years.

2017 vintage

Pop and pour. Tasted on its own, without food. Ruby -garnet color. Nose of spice and sour cherry. Good red fruits (red cherry, pomegranate) framed by brown spice notes; hint of sassafras/sage. Delicious.

2017 vintage

Drinks nicely in the sub-$30 price point. Bien Nacido makes some of my favorite domestic Pinot and Sandler does nice work here. Enjoyed the spices and aromas of this wine. Doesn't drink hot, but it definitely carries extra weight. A clear domestic effort. Would reward cellaring.

2017 vintage

Excelente. Dialed back on the sweet strawberry and really is showing structure and layered oak and stems? Earthy foundation, drinks great with a little air. Should be stunning with age.

2017 vintage

Really enjoyed this. Cherries covered in forest floor. Medium bodied with medium acidity. Drink now-2022.

2017 vintage

Lovely, soft fruit that was approachable right from opening. Undertones of strawberry compote and very little in the way of acid. Surprising for a wine so young. My first taste of Sandler has left me keen to try more.

2017 vintage

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Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard

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