Sandlands Lodi Cinsault 2024

I have long loved Cinsault that emerges from the Bechtold site in Lodi, to the point that I subjected myself to a trip to Lodi during a heat wave. But I digress. This may be the finest Cinsault that I have had from the oldest planting of this grape in the world. It needs time to open up, but when it does it shows complex and gorgeous aromas of black cherries, blackberries, pluots, coffee, gravel, dried flowers, and bitter oranges. On the palate this is light on its feet as one would expect from a dry wine at 12.5% ABV, and the acid gives nice backbone to the incense lifted palate that echoes the nose. If drinking now with Chinese food of grilled pork tenderloin, decant for at least an hour, and this should last for a decade. MK D&M Tasting Notes July 2026