Sanglier Cellars 2018 Family Reserve Chardonnay

FARMING

We have always been a farming first winery. We work the vines ourselves, we decide the crop load, the amount of sun we allow to touch each cluster, the position each cluster occupies to another cluster. We work and build the soil by adding natural compost, planting cover crops, and mowing and tilling based on need not convenience. We pick the fruit by hand, and we only pick when the berries tell us they are truly ready. A watchful eye, hard work and attention to detail.

HENRY DAVID VINEYARD

We began farming Henry David  in 2005. Gently rolling hills and cobbly loam soils provide a superbly well drained site that encourages a natural balance for these grapes. Warm sunny days and cool crisp nights are the perfect environment for nurturing grapes with  excellent flavor, superb freshness, and lively acidity. Vineyard site selection is the single most important decision that is made when trying to make a wine of distinction and character that reflects a sense of place. Henry David Vineyard is a stellar site.

WINEMAKING

We hand-sort, crush, and whole cluster press. The wine is fermented in neutral  French oak barrels  and aged on lees. This chardonnay retains its natural malic acid.  Doing the hard work in the vineyards allows us to take a more natural approach in the cellar. This chardonnay walks the line between rich and austere. We stir the barrels minimally for texture as needed, otherwise we leave the barrels alone. Patience is a virtue with great chardonnay. 

THE WINE

We last made the Family Reserve Chardonnay in 2014. The concept has meaning to us. This vintage showed remarkable elegance and balance, exceptional vibrancy. Delicate asian pear and a focussed, lingering finish of zesty lemon with a touch of white stone fill the glass and your mouth. Yes there is a richness to the mid palate from the wine’s time on the lees, but the finish is clean, crisp and refreshing. This is the chardonnay my family treasures.

James Glenn Alexander

Founding Farmer & Winemaker

APPELLATION. Bennett Valley Sonoma County

Henry David Vineyard

100% Chardonnay 

AGING

16 months in Nuetral French Oak

Sur Lees, Unfiltered & Unfined

91 CASES PRODUCED

ALCOHOL/PH/TA

13.9%/ 3.45/ 7.1 g/L

RETAIL PRICE

$50