Tegan Passalacqua continues to wow me with the wines he makes under his Sandlands label, and his 97-point Mataro is another mind-bendingly delicious wine. I can say with certainty that there are not many other 97 pointers that sell for less than $40....
Yup this one is on deal for $35.99. That's 20% off the regular price and super fair price of $44.99! We've got 36 bottles up for grabs.
Produced from Mourvedre (aka Mataro) vines planted in 1922, Mr. Galloni of Vinous Media had his world rocked when he had this wine. He called it "is one of the most profound, riveting wines I have tasted from Sandlands." He went on to say "the 2024 impresses with its energy and power." After getting into a bottle last night, I think the 97-point score totally adds up.
God bless the "wine trail blazers," and Tegan Passalacqua is certainly one of them. Not only does he oversee winemaking at Turley, he also has a little side project called Sandlands, where he focuses on the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite (sand). The vineyards and regions he sources fruit from tend to be head-trained, dry-farmed and own-rooted, and very old.
His Mataro comes from an ancient block of vines in the Oakley Road Vineyard, one of our country's oldest vineyards. Fermented with native yeasts and whole clusters and aged in older, neutral French oak, it is one of the most exciting red wines I've had the pleasure to enjoy this year.
I'd happily put this up against the best-of-the-best Bandol Rouges, and it would perform well. I love the wine's balanced style that showcases the more elegant and energetic side of Mataro. I picked up classic Mourvedre notes of dark berries, cracked black pepper, brown spices, violet, and smoky herb, and the juicy acids carry those flavors through the long and satisfying finish.
Just in case you need a second opinion, here's Galloni's full review. "The 2024 Mataro (Contra Costa County), from vines planted in 1922, is one of the most profound, riveting wines I have tasted from Sandlands. A huge, vertical wine, the 2024 impresses with its energy and power. Black cherry fruit, gravel, incense, tobacco and spice infuse the palate with tremendous flavor and textural intensity. All of this fruit is from Oakley Road Vineyard. What a wine! Drink 2026 - 2045."
Yep, this has got some serious staying power, but I found it to be very enjoyable already. I would recommend you decant it for an hour or two, as it's a bit shy right out of the bottle.
I'd also HIGHLY recommend you enjoy it with some grilled lamb chops with rosemary if you really want to have your mind blown.
36 bottles up for grabs, and this is one of the best prices in the US. Don't wait too long to place your order.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
