Sandler Wine Co., Connell Vineyard Syrah, Bennett Valley

Drinking great. I'd probably drink up in the next couple years, but this was my last 2009

2009 vintage

I really enjoyed the vegetal notes which seemed to overtake herbal notes this time around. Drank well for at least 3 hours. 91-92

2009 vintage

Past its peak, but still drinking well. No rush on these till 2022+.

2009 vintage

At 10 years of age, this seems to be drinking better than bottles near release. Well integrated, a good nose, some fruit and savory characteristics mingle on the nose and palate. To nitpick, it could be just a bit more complex, but for a bottle at it's price point this was a stunner. I hate to let the cat out of the bag, but this may be the best value I have found in the wine world. That said, it …

2009 vintage

Second bottle from WineBid buy. This showed very much like the first bottle but did not notice the alcohol this time. This was enjoyed by everyone. Not the most complex Syrah, but showed very well at this time. Great right now, and has the stuffing to hold for a while longer.

2009 vintage

14.2% abv. Recent purchase from WineBid. So much to like about this. Effusive, smoky, and meaty nose, which also carried through on the palate. Fleshy, unfiltered mouthfeel which I enjoyed a great deal. Good depth and length on the finish as well. The only that kept me from going nuts about this was the sharp alcohol bite on the midpalate that limited my enjoyment overall.

2009 vintage

Drinking as well as two years ago. A light-to-medium body with equal measures of fruit and barnyard funk that reach the mountain top one hour after opening. 92-93 Update: still drinking well on the next day without having been vacuum corked.

2009 vintage

I find myself drawn to Sandler Syrahs because of their incredibly expressive nose of lavender, plum, and black olive. The palate is equally beguiling with plum, floral notes, olive, and mineral. There is balanced acidity that ties this medium-bodied wine together as a refined package of depth and class. This is an outstanding value. This was an amazing pairing with bacon and black olive pizza. The wine was briney and smokey with the bacon, and the olives complemented the wine’s …

2009 vintage

We enjoyed this bottle. Medium to lighter weight. Red fruits, spice and Rhone-like flavors. Good QPR.

2009 vintage

Fantastic nose... 14.2% ABV. 91-92

2009 vintage

this is a really great wine, especially for $20 all in. Still has plenty of red fruit left in it, but well balanced and maturely nicely.

2009 vintage

Seemed to be at its peak about 8 hours after opening, and was still drinking solidly 18 hours later. Akin to an outstanding Gigondas...

2009 vintage

Lovely tapenade. Touches of smoke and meat and cherryish fruit.

2009 vintage

Another beautiful syrah from Ed! Wish I had bought more!

2009 vintage

Quite a night-and-day difference from last night's bottle. This one appears to have completed its secondary fermentation and as a result is coming through as much less fruity, seemingly hotter (but not overbearingly so), and with a very silky texture. All in all this bottle was much closer to an Aussie Shiraz than a French Gigondas. I think they'll all taste like this given another year. Evolved very slowly during the 2+ hours we had it open. 89-92 points Update: …

2009 vintage

This underwent indeed some secondary fermentation as it is now much drier than back in January. Wondering how much the alcohol content changed as a result. Still showing some huge aromatics. Began opening up 10 minutes after opening, and seemed to settle in 15 minutes later. Still hugely aromatic after an hour, but it is now also exhibiting strong tobacco notes as a counterpoint. I bet that the fruit will make room for some sublime funky notes in the future. …

2009 vintage

Floral & blackberry aromas and flavors on the palate with herbal & pepper extending to a tasty finish.

2009 vintage

My first Sandler Syrah. It was young but quite good. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and some plums. Very nice texture. More fruit than I was expecting with a nice depth and complexity. Nice finish. Improved in the glass. Needs a few more years.

2009 vintage

Inky dark purple color. I appreciate the complex nose of roasted meat, smoke, plum, blueberry, lavender, woody notes, and spicy pepper. The palate is packed with blueberry, plum, floral notes, and pepper. There is balanced acidity in this medium-bodied wine and rounded tannins. The finish is long and spicy. Overall, Sandler produces one of my favorite syrahs because it is full of varietal purity as well as balanced structure.

2009 vintage

What a fantastic bottle of wine! Gigondas-like nose, with notes of garrigue, violets, smoke, peat, and some medicinal notes; after a while aromas or rich soil (barnyard) also make a showing. On the very dry palate (with tannins resembling black tea leaves at times) there's blueberry and blackberry fruit and black pepper, followed by green pepper seeds and emerging flavors of licorice on the mid-palate over time, completed by an underlying smokiness in the background. There is also some very …

2009 vintage

Similar tasting notes to previous bottle, but this bottle was more closed with more tannins on the finish than I remember.

2009 vintage

Popped and poured. No doubt this is syrah with its aromas of white pepper, blood and mineral, and a touch of wood. On the palate the charred oak shows even more along with the cracked white and black pepper. The fruit is tart, but hidden behind the pepper and spice. There is good acid in this and medium tannin. Right now the oak is too much for me but I like the cool climate fruit and spice behind it. I …

2009 vintage

Floral & blackberry aromas and flavors on the palate with herbal & pepper extending to a tasty finish.

2009 vintage

Drank this at my 60th, so limited notes. Full bodied and delicious. Drank with pizza at Di Fara's in Brooklyn.

2009 vintage

This bottle has some sediment; color is brownish red (possibly flawed?). Pleasant bouquet; earthtones and soft fruit. Not complex, but enjoyable; a single-layered Syrah, sweeter than I like, yet not Australian jammy; not much spice, but it will do for Valentine's Day.

2009 vintage

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Sandler Wine Co., Connell Vineyard Syrah, Bennett Valley

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