Grapes aren’t the only thing in the press at Brander. Sometimes it’s a much anticipated release of a special wine, a mention of the wines in the wine magazines or at other times a bit of news about the people or happenings at the winery.

You can read all of the latest right here. Check back often, or better yet, sign up for the newsletter by clicking here!

April 2008

Best American Wines $15 & Under: Sauvignon Blanc
Fred Brander has been specializing in Sauvignon Blanc for three decades, making him one of the pioneering winemakers in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Brander makes several terrific higher-end Sauvignon Blanc cuvées, but this spicy basic bottling—to which he adds a portion of Pinot Blanc and Riesling for complexity—gives a fine idea of his style.

Click here to read the complete article.

May 2007

"90 Points Brander Syrah Santa Ynez Valley 2005
A delightfully rich Syrah that's also elegant and stylish, offering layers of wild berry, earth, spice and light cedary oak. The fruit shines on the finish, with smooth, supple tannins. Drink now through 20011. 500 cases made."
James Laube

December 2006

Brander 2005 Purisima Mountain Sauvignon Blanc
From one of California's greatest Sauvignon Blanc producers comes this very interesting wine from a well-regarded part of the appellation. It's a big wine, packed with concentrated citrus, fig, melon and peppery spice flavors. With fresh acidity, it's right up there with the best. Editors' Choice

Fall 2006

Wine and Dine Santa Barbara turned the spotlight on Fred Brander in its Fall 2006 edition, and, anticipating the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Early Release, they noted:

"A blend of grapes from Brander’s own Los Olivos estate and 10 other Santa Ynez Valley vineyards, this very young wine really is a barometer of the year’s crop. The 2006 edition of this wine, ideally released in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, has “a lot of body, crisp acidity and fresh fruit character,” the winemaker says."

Click here to read the complete article.

August 2006

The Brander Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2005 was selected as the Daily Wine Pick by Wine Spectator online:

"Intense, vibrant and clean as a whistle, with fresh quince, lemon-lime and freshly cut grass. Picks up a nice stony mineral edge on the finish. Drink now." - James Laube

May 2006

92 points 2004 Au Naturel
"California's top Sauvignon Blanc specialist continues on a roll with this wonderfully pure, clean wine. It's crisp and bone dry in gooseberry, lemon, lime and fig flavors, with an intense cassis flavor that's unusual and thrilling in a dry Sauvignon Blanc. You'll savor every sip of this exceptional wine."

Best Buy 2005 Early Release
On of the first wines of the new vintage, this nouveau-style wine is ultrafresh and fruity. It has peppery, zesy acidity and intense flavors of limes, kiwi, figs and vanilla. Utterly refreshing and dry, this is a wine to stock up on.

May 18, 2005

In a review of American Sauvignon Blanc wines, the New York Times said "Perhaps people realize that sauvignon blanc generally goes much better with food than the prevailing blowzy style of American chardonnay."

"In fact, the most recent vintage in the tasting, a 2004 Brander labeled "Early Release," was our best value. It was just $14, but its zesty freshness makes it a crowd-pleaser."

"Zingy and fresh, with lingering flavors; not complex but delicious."

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June, 2005

Sauvignon Blanc au Naturel, Santa ynez Valley, 2003
A flash of habanera pepper cuts through the full melon and almond flavors of this wine. Is has a sweet-sour balance for veal schnitzel.

Cuvée Nicholas, Santa Ynez Valley 2003
Green pepper scents fill the far texture of this sauvignon, the flavors sweet and more focused on vegetal tones than fruit. Chill it for seafood enchiladas.

May 2005

Cuvée Nicolas Santa Ynez Valley 2003 – 91 points
Generous and concentrated, with excellent intensity to yellow apple, grapefruit and nectarine tones. Cedary oak and grass flavors extend through the lingering, anise-scented finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Drink now through 2007.

Sauvignon Blanc au Naturel, Santa Ynez Valley, 2003 - 90 points
Delivers a focused beam of tart citrus, green apple, grass and passion fruit flavors. A tight core of concentration bodes well, with tangy grapefruit and nectarine tones that stay lively through the finish. Drink now through 2007.

Cuvée Natalie, Santa Ynez Valley 2004 - 86 points
Soft, with easy-drinking flavors of yellow apple, orange and flowers that finish with a touch of sweetness. Drink now.

September 2004

Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, 2003
Smart Buy. Focused, with a formidable swath of ripe green apple, peach, hay and grapefruit flavors. 89 points

Cuvée Nicolas, Santa Ynez Valley 2002
Ripe and generous, with very good depth to a broad swath of vanilla, tangy nectarine, pear and grapefruit peel nuances, with lingering grassiness and cedary character. 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc au Naturel, Santa Ynez Valley, 2002
Complex, with an interesting blend of green apple, sweet pea, grass and lemon-lime nuances that finish on a grassy note. 87 points

Cuvée Natalie, Santa Ynez, 2002
A delightful summer sipper, soft and fleshy, with good depth to the honey and yellow apple flavors, ending with a spicy medley of fruit flavors.

August 2004

Sauvignon Blanc au Naturel, Santa Ynez Valley, 2002
Firm and crisp, with a fine-tuned array of grapefruit, spice, melon, lemon, herb, grass and mineral flavors. It's sleek, clean and fresh, with a long, bright finish. 91 points

Cuvée Nicholas, Santa Ynez 2002
Lemony bright upfront with melon, pear, herb and hints of grass. It's got a slightly honeyed note on the finish. Classy Sauvignon Blanc. 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, 2003
Redolent of citrus, melon, herb and grass, the wine is clean and fresh, with a finish that is moderate in length. Good wine at a good price. 87 points.