Brander
Brander Vineyards was founded in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1975 by Fred Brander. Originally from Argentina, Fred moved with his family and settled in Santa Barbara, California. He was hired by a local wine merchant and later started his own wine import company, focusing on wines from France and Argentina according to our Brander wine reviews. Brander Vineyards initial planting was mainly Bordeaux grape varietals and in 1977, his original Sauvignon Blanc wine captured Santa Barbara County's first gold medal for a wine at a major wine competition which was the 1978 Los Angeles County Fair. Brander Winery is known as a top Sauvignon Blanc producer, and for many years the only Brander Vineyard wine was an estate-bottled Sauvignon Blanc according to our Brander wine ratings. This mostly still holds true today but they produce several different Sauvignon Blanc wines and a handful of red Bordeaux style wines are produced as well. To see which of these wines are right for you check out Brander wine buying guide below.
Brander 1999 Cuvee Natalie Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Best Buy
- $15
They call this their Alsatian-style wine, and indeed, it contains smaller amounts of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sylvaner. This explains the pretty flavors, which range from citrus and straw through flowers and lusher spices and fruits. Yet it’s very dry and crisp and finishes tart and racy. Editors’ Choice.
— S.H.
(5/1/2001)
Brander 2004 Bouchet Red (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $32
Better than last year’s bottling, this is a very dry, stylish wine of complexity. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it’s leaner than many North Coast clarets, with an herbal edge to the cherry flavors. That restraint makes it a comfortable companion to a wide range of food.
— S.H.
(7/1/2006)
Brander 2005 Cuvee Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $25
One hundred percent barrel fermented and aged sur lies, this polished wine brings the same lemon and lime and grassy flavors as Brander’s unoaked Au Naturel. But for me, the oak robs the wine of some of its crispness and brightness, although it’s still a high-class Sauvignon Blanc.
— S.H.
(11/15/2006)
Brander 2006 Cuvee Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $25
This is Brander’s barrel-fermented, new oaky Sauvignon Blanc. You can taste the creaminess and smokiness imparted by the wood. It marries nicely with the grape’s citrus and fig flavors and zippy acids.
— S.H.
(12/1/2007)
Brander 2006 Uno Mas White (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $22
Right up there with last year’s bottling, this Grenache Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc blend is unoaked, offering pure flavors of terroir-inspired fruit. High acidity backs up the lemongrass, pineapple, peach and honeysuckle flavors that finish so dry and spicy.
— S.H.
(12/1/2007)
Brander 2008 Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
This is the winery’s least acccessible 2008 Syrah. It’s too tannic and acidic to be properly appreciated, although decanting will help to unleash the massive blackberry, black currant and chocolate flavors. Cellar it through 2010 if you can.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Brander 2008 Mesa Verde Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County)
- Online Exclusive
- $20
Dark, soft and delicious, this Syrah has extremely complex flavors. They range from blackberries and black currants to chocolate, anise, bacon, black pepper, violets, and an edge of smoky sandalwood. Drink this bone dry wine now.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Brander 2002 Cuvee Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $25
Lemony bright upfront with melon, pear, herb and hints of grass. It’s got a slightly honeyed note on the finish. Classy Sauvignon Blanc.
— J.M.
(8/1/2004)
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