2021 Sandar & Hem Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay [WE96]

Producer: Sandar & Hem 
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California 
Varietal: Chardonnay  
Year: 2021 

Retail Price: $52.00 
Our Price: $19.99* 

Sandar & Hem is a relatively new winery but they're already making a name in the wine world.  It's a small-production winery led by a husband and wife team and the name is a nod to the family's Norwegian origins.  Sandar & Hem explores the Santa Cruz Mountains through the lens of its most historically important vineyards and produces evocative expressions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet.  They aspire to make wines which express the breathtaking mountain sites upon which their grapes are grown and believe that Chardonnay, above all other varieties, is able to capture the wide breadth of expressions and great heights possible from the rugged, complex Santa Cruz Mountains.  Wine Advocate writes Sandar & Hem "stands in a league above the rest" and has rapidly caught the attention of those in the region and beyond.  Their Chardonnay winemaking is deeply rooted in Burgundian traditions and the results are compelling.  Founder Robert Bergstrom believes that Santa Cruz is a world-class place to produce Chardonnay comparable to white Burgundy.  He believes the age-worthiness of Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay is on par with white Burgundies.  The 2021 Sandar & Hem Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay shows why this winery is a standout for its textural finesse and aromatic intrigue.  This is an epic bottling with aromas of lime sorbet and delicate toasted pastry.  It's brisk and joyful with mouthwatering acidity and notes of citrus, almond, and light spice.  Enjoy!

Wine Enthusiast, 96 Points 

"Very light in the glass, this epic bottling combines brisk and joyful aromas of lime sorbet with the most delicate touch of toasted pastry on the nose. This winery is a master at texture, in this case employing a chalky grip and a tongue-titillating acidity to frame citrus, blanched almond and light spice flavors." 

Alcohol: 13% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.