Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
Sanglier Cellars
| Owner(s) | Glenn Alexander, Melissa Alexander |
| Web site | www.sangliercellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Glenn and Melissa Alexander purchased on old farm house and eight acres of 40-year-old Zinfandel vines in the east end of the Russian River Valley in 2001. Both of the owners grew up in Texas and later she pursed a career in the culinary field, while he built a successful manufacturing company. Inspired by their love of wine, they longed to return to the life of a farmer.
After acquiring the vineyard, Glenn worked at Chateau Montelena while completing the viticulture program at Santa Rosa Junior College. He later did a harvest at Preston Vineyards and spent a year working with a vineyard manager before starting his own vineyard management firm. Today, Bacchus Vineyard Management farms and manages over 400 acres of premium vineyards for wineries such as Kosta Browne, Copain, Paul Hobbs, Pahlmeyer and others.
The Alexander family is now producing wines from family farmed vineyards. The first commercial vintage was 2006.
The name, Sanglier, is French for wild boar, a creature prevalent in the vineyards and on the dinner tables of France and Sonoma County.
A Russian River Valley appellation and Old Camp Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are offered. The wines, which include Chardonnay and white and red Rhone varietals, are sold through an online website store and through a mailing list. The Healdsburg tasting room at 132 Plaza St. is open daily (closed Wednesdays during the winter)
Articles About Sanglier Cellars
2017 California Value Priced Pinot Noir All-Americans (11.15 12/16/2017)
A Dozen California Wineries Offer Holiday Cheer (11.14 12/3/2017)
California Dreamin’: New Releases (10.48 2/13/2017)
More Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.46 6/17/2019)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir (9.48 10/6/2014)
Recently Tasted Sonoma County Wines (11.46 6/17/2019)
Reviewed Wines
2017 Sanglier Tusque Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62, 444 cases,
$36. Clones 667, 777, 115, “828”, Pommard and Swan. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in
French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry tart and
toasty oak. Richly flavored with black cherry fruit framed by modest tannins. The texture is quite
sensual, there is less oak input on the palate, and the finish is modest but pleasing.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 19, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Sanglier Cellars Emilia’s Cuvée Bennett Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62,
115 cases, $60. Sourced from the Henry David Vineyard that the winery has farmed since 2005.
Calera and Swan clones. 100% de-stemmed, aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Savory aromas of stem, dried herbs, dried rose petal and earth
combine with fruity aromas of muddled cherry. Darker fruited on the palate in a middleweight style,
featuring flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and red candy spice. Mouth filling with mid palate
persistence and a special finish of uncommon length. The velvety texture is particularly seductive.
This wine is deserving of the “Reserve” designation.
Score: 93.
Reviewed June 19, 2019
ARTICLE »
2015 Sanglier River Tusque Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA
0.56, 124 cases, $36. The name of this wine is French Provencal for “The Old Lands.”
Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 10% new and 90% 1 to 3-year-old.
·
Moderate garnet
color in the glass. The nose is wild and exotic, with aromas of purple berries and
complimentary oak notes. Generously endowed in a mid weight plus style, with intense
and succulent flavors of boysenberry, pomegranate and blackberry augmented with loads
of spice. The wine’s haunting flavors are framed by supporting tannins and an unusually
lengthy finish. This wine just has plenty of Pinot speak.
Score: 94.
Reviewed December 3, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Sanglier Old Camp Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.66, 159
cases, $60. Release spring 2018. Vineyard planted to Pommard and 667 clones in 2006. by Glenn Alexander.
Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% 1 to 3-year-old.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the
glass. Shy, but very pleasant scents of black cherry, crushed purple grapes, spice and earth. Beautifully crafted
in a mid weight style with vibrant flavors of black cherry and black raspberry framed by sleek, ripe tannins. A
slight floral note chimes in. A notable finish features dark grape aromatics that finish generous and long. Even
better when tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 93.
Reviewed December 3, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier River Tusque Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.57, 224
cases, $36. “Tusque” translates to “the old lands” in French. Clones are Swan, Calera, 115 and 667.
Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, 75% 1 and 2-year-old.
·
Moderately dark reddish
purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry and grape must are accented with a hint of
underbrush. The black raspberry, blackberry and black grape fruits veer to the ripe side but never
cross over. Modest in weight, but blessed with vibrant fruit flavor that grabs hold to the very long,
dark berry infused follow through. The balance is impeccable.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier Old Camp Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, 220 cases, $55.
Sourced from Old Camp Vineyard. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple
color in the glass. There is a intra berry fermentation scent in this wine with notes of rose petal, tutti-fruity and
pine sap accompanying the dark cherry fruit. Plenty of sweet dark cherry and berry fruit to satisfy in a
somewhat husky wine with sinewy tannins. A bit of spice, vanilla and Juicy Fruit gum flavors add interest. The
finish is remarkably intense and persistent, lasting well over 30 seconds, and the longest of the 2014 Pinots
tasted from Sanglier. The Beaujolais character and lengthy finish define this wine.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier Emilia’s Cuvée Family Reserve Bennet Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.60, 155 cases, $60.
Calera and Swan clones grown at Laguna Vineyard. Aged 19
months in French oak barrels, 40% new, 60% 1 and 2-year-old.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose
offers its charms slowly over time in the glass, reaching a climax
filled with dark cherry, berry, rose petal and nutty oak aromas. A
little more oak and structure in this high collared wine, filled with
succulent boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors that saturate the
palate. Prodigious, yet not jammy, with a pleasing acid backbone and a
good grip of juicy fruit on the ostentatious finish. A superb wine that is
delicious now, but will benefit from short term aging.
Score: 94.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2013 Sanglier Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.55, 416 cases, $45. Pommard,
Calera, Swan and 115 clones. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, 70% 1 and 2-year-old.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose really blossoms over time, attracting the drinker to
bright aromas of cherry, red berry, woodland and sous-bois. A cherry bombast featuring a mid weight core of
perfectly ripened Bing cherry that is expansive in the mouth and carries over with purpose through the finish.
Easy going, with silky tannins, juicy acidity and solid balance. Still delightful the following day when tasted from
a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 90.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 Sanglier Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.61, 542 cases, $38. Aged in
French oak.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Quintessential Russian River Valley character with
aromas and flavors of Bing cherry, plum, cola and baking spice. Modest in weight, but plush on the palate, with
welcome oak accents, smooth tannins, and a cherry-charged finish. This up front wine has typical lush
Russian River Valley fruit, yet is fresh and vibrant.
Score: 92.
Reviewed October 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Sanglier Old Camp Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.56, 49 cases, $45. The vineyard
is just above the Russian River on the eastern ridge and enjoys
slightly more brilliant sunshine than the valley below, but still has
exposure to the Pacific fog that creeps into the Valley each
summer night. Pommard and 667 clones. Aged in French oak.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is alive with
scents of Bing cherries, cola and cinnamon spice. An evocative wine
with a plush attack of black cherry and black raspberry fruits that alert the
palate. Nicely spiced and showing a hint of oak, this wine delivers a
generous charge of cherries jubilee on the expansive finish. Highly
flavorful, even hedonistic, but not overweighted or sweet.
Score: 94.
Reviewed October 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2017 Sanglier Tusque Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62, 444 cases, $36. Clones 667, 777, 115, “828”, Pommard and Swan. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry tart and toasty oak. Richly flavored with black cherry fruit framed by modest tannins. The texture is quite sensual, there is less oak input on the palate, and the finish is modest but pleasing. Score: 90. Reviewed June 19, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Sanglier Cellars Emilia’s Cuvée Bennett Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62, 115 cases, $60. Sourced from the Henry David Vineyard that the winery has farmed since 2005. Calera and Swan clones. 100% de-stemmed, aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Savory aromas of stem, dried herbs, dried rose petal and earth combine with fruity aromas of muddled cherry. Darker fruited on the palate in a middleweight style, featuring flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and red candy spice. Mouth filling with mid palate persistence and a special finish of uncommon length. The velvety texture is particularly seductive. This wine is deserving of the “Reserve” designation. Score: 93. Reviewed June 19, 2019 ARTICLE »
2015 Sanglier River Tusque Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.56, 124 cases, $36. The name of this wine is French Provencal for “The Old Lands.” Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 10% new and 90% 1 to 3-year-old. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is wild and exotic, with aromas of purple berries and complimentary oak notes. Generously endowed in a mid weight plus style, with intense and succulent flavors of boysenberry, pomegranate and blackberry augmented with loads of spice. The wine’s haunting flavors are framed by supporting tannins and an unusually lengthy finish. This wine just has plenty of Pinot speak. Score: 94. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Sanglier Old Camp Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.66, 159 cases, $60. Release spring 2018. Vineyard planted to Pommard and 667 clones in 2006. by Glenn Alexander. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% 1 to 3-year-old. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Shy, but very pleasant scents of black cherry, crushed purple grapes, spice and earth. Beautifully crafted in a mid weight style with vibrant flavors of black cherry and black raspberry framed by sleek, ripe tannins. A slight floral note chimes in. A notable finish features dark grape aromatics that finish generous and long. Even better when tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier River Tusque Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.57, 224 cases, $36. “Tusque” translates to “the old lands” in French. Clones are Swan, Calera, 115 and 667. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, 75% 1 and 2-year-old. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry and grape must are accented with a hint of underbrush. The black raspberry, blackberry and black grape fruits veer to the ripe side but never cross over. Modest in weight, but blessed with vibrant fruit flavor that grabs hold to the very long, dark berry infused follow through. The balance is impeccable. Score: 91. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier Old Camp Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, 220 cases, $55. Sourced from Old Camp Vineyard. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. There is a intra berry fermentation scent in this wine with notes of rose petal, tutti-fruity and pine sap accompanying the dark cherry fruit. Plenty of sweet dark cherry and berry fruit to satisfy in a somewhat husky wine with sinewy tannins. A bit of spice, vanilla and Juicy Fruit gum flavors add interest. The finish is remarkably intense and persistent, lasting well over 30 seconds, and the longest of the 2014 Pinots tasted from Sanglier. The Beaujolais character and lengthy finish define this wine. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Sanglier Emilia’s Cuvée Family Reserve Bennet Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.60, 155 cases, $60. Calera and Swan clones grown at Laguna Vineyard. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 40% new, 60% 1 and 2-year-old. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose offers its charms slowly over time in the glass, reaching a climax filled with dark cherry, berry, rose petal and nutty oak aromas. A little more oak and structure in this high collared wine, filled with succulent boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors that saturate the palate. Prodigious, yet not jammy, with a pleasing acid backbone and a good grip of juicy fruit on the ostentatious finish. A superb wine that is delicious now, but will benefit from short term aging. Score: 94. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2013 Sanglier Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.55, 416 cases, $45. Pommard, Calera, Swan and 115 clones. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, 70% 1 and 2-year-old. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose really blossoms over time, attracting the drinker to bright aromas of cherry, red berry, woodland and sous-bois. A cherry bombast featuring a mid weight core of perfectly ripened Bing cherry that is expansive in the mouth and carries over with purpose through the finish. Easy going, with silky tannins, juicy acidity and solid balance. Still delightful the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 Sanglier Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.61, 542 cases, $38. Aged in French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Quintessential Russian River Valley character with aromas and flavors of Bing cherry, plum, cola and baking spice. Modest in weight, but plush on the palate, with welcome oak accents, smooth tannins, and a cherry-charged finish. This up front wine has typical lush Russian River Valley fruit, yet is fresh and vibrant. Score: 92. Reviewed October 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Sanglier Old Camp Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.56, 49 cases, $45. The vineyard is just above the Russian River on the eastern ridge and enjoys slightly more brilliant sunshine than the valley below, but still has exposure to the Pacific fog that creeps into the Valley each summer night. Pommard and 667 clones. Aged in French oak. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is alive with scents of Bing cherries, cola and cinnamon spice. An evocative wine with a plush attack of black cherry and black raspberry fruits that alert the palate. Nicely spiced and showing a hint of oak, this wine delivers a generous charge of cherries jubilee on the expansive finish. Highly flavorful, even hedonistic, but not overweighted or sweet. Score: 94. Reviewed October 6, 2014 ARTICLE »