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. There are now multiple producers that farm and grow grapes here. Sandhi, a project of Rajat Parr, is a front runner for quality and old world style wines made in America. Focussing 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 very much one of our favorite grapes, and seeing as how we’ve recently offered multiple types of Chardonnay made in America, that favoritism continues. This is an acid driven style of Chardonnay with salty characteristics due to pacific influence being channeled down the valley. Very reminiscent of white burgundy.
Having the ability to be drunk by itself or with food speaks volumes to the quality of this wine. Happy to be enjoyed solo, or paired with some stronger flavored dishes. Although you might not typically think of decanting white wine, this is a wine that loves a bit of oxygen incorporation. Long lived in the glass and bottle, it will hold well for a couple days. Although we understand if you can’t let it go that long. Cheers!
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 effect on the perception of merlot. We think that this wine showcases the sapid and desirable nature that merlot can produce.
2021 was a cold year which lends the wine more acidity, finer tannins and savory flavors. The wine, now being 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 (Please 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. What it is, 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 taking over. 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, high quality fruit was produced.
This is a wine that is, arguably, one of the few wines that really defines who we are as a restaurant and wine club. High quality, tasty, but still showing regards to the health of the earth and through that, a wine worth experiencing. 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 show you our wine passion. Drink up friends!
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!