Bruce Dunbar

9.2

A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — a month ago

Andrew

9.0

2014 drunk in 2024. Last bottle of this vintage. Still holds up and has more time in it. Lovely subtlety that does open up a bit with time.  — 9 months ago

Matt

9.4

Love the high Merlot % this vintage has. There’s a plushness and supleness to the tannin that really impressed. With age the Merlot really bringing that core of sweet stewed red plum. Long, elegant, completely intact, very well-stored bottle. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

My first bottle of the 2019 Contra Costa County “Red Table Wine”. The “Red Table Wine” designation from Sandlands is a bottling that I look forward to with each Sandlands release.

This years version from CCC pours a very pretty translucent ruby with a magenta rim and medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity. Initially, I found the nose to be a little reductive but the wine really begins to express itself and come alive after about 20 minutes of air. As with previous iterations, there’s an overwhelming impression of freshness. An extremely bright mixed fruits set with red, blue and black fruits, red and purple flowers and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Again freshness is everywhere. Confirming the mixed fruits which comes across extremely bright and almost crunchy. The wine is spicy with lovely minerals with an almost crushed gravel characteristic too. Finish is medium+ and works so well with a variety of meals. The body seems to gain some weight with air. Good now but probably better in 2025. 65% Carignan and 35% Mataro. 11 barrels produced. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

My last bottle of the 2014 Bullnose and consistent with previous notes here on Delectable. Hawkes Bay is one of the best districts in NZ for Syrah and Cabernet. Hasn’t really evolved much from the first of 4 bottles I had in 2021. Still has the trademark black pepper and spice in what is essentially an elegant medium bodied wine without the fuller bodied blackberry and tar of nearby Trinity Hill Homage. — 2 months ago

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9.5

Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— a year ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Posted this bottle before. All I’ll say is how well it’s aged. This isn’t going anywhere yet I can’t resist drinking it at this stage. — 3 years ago

Jason Chiu

9.2

Enjoyed with a Cantonese beef stew, dad's recipe. Decanted 3 hours before dinner and it still held tight graphite, cedar, and black fruit notes. A touch closed up or young right now, will revisit my next bottle in 5 to 10 years — 4 months ago

Jane Nuss

9.0

Pale lemon. One the nose- apple, pear, peach, citrus, and a grassy/herbaceous note that I can’t put my finger on. Burst of grapefruit and pineapple with some minerality on the palate. Medium body. Nice, zesty acidity. Was a bit tight at first out of the bottle. Best to let it breathe a bit and losen up some. Fun and cheeky wine! — a year ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

The Salvador vnd from contra costa is always one of my favorite turley wines. So expressive from those sandy soils.
On the nose it could be nothing other than zin. It is so suave and silky. Not a hard edge to be found. Just a really easy and pleasing bottle of wine. Like a living poet, it requires little fanfare. — 3 years ago