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 2003 Au Naturel Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $30
Sharp and minerally at first, with aromas of cat pee, nectarine, melon and cucumber. Rather big and meaty on the tongue, with enough tangy gooseberry and citrus to balance out the larger peach and pear flavors. Thorough and healthy as a whole, with adequate acidity and girth.
— W.E.
(7/1/2005)
Brander 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $15
Shows the dryness and raciness of all Brander’s Sauvignon Blancs, with lovely, delicious citrus fruit, lemongrass, vanilla, honeysuckle and spice flavors. Just a delight to drink, at a great price.
— S.H.
(10/1/2010)
Brander 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $50
Ripe fruit combines with fine tannins to make for a Cabernet that’s easy to drink, yet good enough for an expensive cut of steak. The black cherry and raspberry flavors have a brambly edge, almost like a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Don’t look for Napa smoothness and opulence; instead, let the rustic nature of this wine charm you.
— S.H.
(11/1/2012)
Brander 2002 Bouchet (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $30
Mimics Cabernet with ripe flavors of blackcurrants and cherries and the veneer of well-toasted oak. The tannins are Cab-like, too, ripe and dense. There’s a swirl of sweet chocolate truffle that’s distinctive and attractive.
— S.H.
(9/1/2004)
Brander 2003 Bouchet Red (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $30
A Santa Ynez Cabernet character has slowly been emerging, and this wine showcases it. This is a soft, dry wine, with an edge of green herbs and sweet peas framing red cherry and cassis flavors.
— S.H.
(12/1/2005)
Brander 2006 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $15
This has a little barrel fermentation, lending a creaminess. But it has the same fizziness of a young white just months out of the fermenter. It’s also delicious.
— S.H.
(8/1/2007)
Brander 2006 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $22
Dry, tannic and ripe, this Syrah has rewarding blackberry, currant, black raspberry, date, chocolate and pepper flavors that are deep and long in the finish. It’s a savory, polished wine, with quite a bit of elegance and sophistication.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
Brander 2008 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $22
A polished, pretty Syrah. It’s black in color and very soft, and tastes like a blackberry- and blueberry-infused chocolate drink, with hints of bacon. Luscious and ready to drink now.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
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