february 2026
sandhi
Sanford & Benedict 2020
Chardonnay
Sta Rita Hills, California
The Sanford and Benedict vineyard has long been an illustrious plot of vines. The two founders, Michael Benedict, a UC Santa Barbara botanist, and UC Berkeley graduate Richard Sanford, decided to find a cool climate region in California to make Burgundian-style wine. After much research and rigorous searching, they finally planted vines in 1971. Now, multiple producers farm and grow grapes at the site. Sandhi, a project of Rajat Parr, is a front runner for quality and old world style wines made in America. Focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot noir, we’re excited to be able to show you one of the best examples of high quality new world Chardonnay.
It’s understandable if you tend to think of Californian chardonnay as a big oaky butter bomb. There is a time and place for those. That time is not this month. Chardonnay is one of our favorite grapes, and multiple chardonnays made in America we’ve offered in recent months proves how diverse and delicious the grape can be. This is an acid-driven style of chardonnay with salty characteristics due to Pacific ocean air channeled down the valley. Very reminiscent of white Burgundy.
Indicative of the quality of this wine, it is delightful enjoyed on its own, or paired with strong, aromatic flavors. Although you might not typically think of decanting white wine, this is a wine that loves a bit of oxygen incorporation, so if that’s your jam, go for it! Long lived in the glass and bottle, it will hold well for a couple days—although we understand if it doesn’t last that long!
Pairing: Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma
Fun fact: Rajat Parr was originally training to be a chef at the Culinary Institute of America before switching over to the wine world.
Domaine les Carmels
Les Caprices 2021
Merlot
Cadillac, France
February. Love is in the air. Unless you don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. Then it’s just cold and probably raining. Either way, a good classic Bordeaux is here for you. Reigning from the Bordeaux subregion of Cadillac, Domaine les Carmels makes some truly tasty wine. Cadillac is usually known for its sweet wine production. Located right next to Sauternes, it’s susceptible to the fun and funky “noble rot” that gives Sauternes wine that distinctive honeyed and saffron flavor. Noble rot is not desirable in red wine though, so the domaine spends much time making sure the grapes are taken care of and produce high quality juice.
The domaine grows all of the main Bordeaux varieties except for petit verdot. This wine is a unique one seeing as how it’s 100% merlot. Although the Sideways effect has largely faded, there is still a lingering perception of merlot as a lower-tier grape. We think that this wine proves that wrong, and showcases the delightful, rich, and complex nature of merlot.
2021 was a cold year which lends the wine more acidity, finer tannins and savory flavors. The wine, now nearly 5 years old, is becoming much more integrated and well-balanced. Delicate yet firm. Soft but strong. Aged in stainless steel to retain acidity and texture is just another example of the quality wine making that is coming out of this Domaine. Clearly a wine we can wax poetic about the further down the bottle we get. We hope you appreciate it as well.
Pairing: Fresh and Wild Mushroom Stew (use Adam’s Mushrooms!)
Fun fact: The vines from this domaine, planted in the 80s and 90s, are rooted down as far as 30 feet.
Roc des Anges
Segna de Cor 2022
Grenache noir, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault
Côtes Catalanes, France
Segna de Cor. A near palindrome of the producer's name, Roc des Anges. It also translates to Sign of the Heart. Coming from the Cotes Catalanes region in the south of France, this is a red blend of grenache noir, syrah, carignan, and cinsault. A straightforward wine that doesn’t hide behind new oak or other alteration techniques. It is content to be what it is. And it is delicious. A quaffable wine in the midst of winter that is smooth and tasty.
Roc des Anges is a producer that holds sustainability in highest regards and advocates for minimal intervention. No temperature controlled fermentations or anything like that. Just Mother Nature doing her thing. This gives vintage variation and uniqueness to each wine. A quality that excites us, and it means we need to try the wines every year. Something we will never say no to. 2022 was a more consistent year when it comes to weather. Nothing that was detrimental to the vines and, thus, we get very high quality fruit.
This is a wine that really defines who we are as a restaurant and wine club. High quality, tasty, and still considering the health of the earth and vineyards. It is made in a natural style with a lightly guiding hand so that it’s not flawed and still tastes clean. Finding producers like this is the goal we always have our eyes set on, and we’re thankful that we get to share this special wine with you.
Pairing: Duck Marinated in Red Wine and Orange
Fun fact: This Domaine works with some of the oldest vines in France. Their 1903 wine is Carignan from vines planted in 1903. If you can find some, we highly recommend picking up a bottle!