2017 Mission

The 2017 Mission emerges from an own-rooted parcel planted in 1854 believed to be the oldest existing planting of Mission grapes left in California. Gracious, floral and light in body, the 2017 is undoubtedly a very pretty wine, but it is also more of a historic curiosity than anything else. It is hard to taste the Sandlands wine and not think about all of the surrounding context. Mission, originally from Spain, was the first variety of grapes planted in the New World. Hints of dried fig, dried flowers, mint and sweet tobacco linger on the soft, hushed finish. The Mission is the only red in the range made with fully destemmed fruit. I would prefer to drink it over the next few years.