The 2020 Sanguis Loner Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley in California's Central Coast is a noteworthy example of Chardonnay. With an alcohol content of 13.2% and sealed with a cork, this white wine has garnered attention from several esteemed reviewers.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine a score of 93, highlighting its aromatic profile and textural qualities. He describes it as having "lots of ripe lemon, chamomile, honeysuckle, and white flower notes," and praises its ability to "gain depth and richness with air." Dunnuck also notes "background toasty, nutty nuances and a great finish," labeling it as a "classy, impressive Chardonnay from Mathias" (jebdunnuck.com, 8/30/2023).
Erin Brooks of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine a score of 92. Brooks points out that the 2020 Loner Chardonnay hails from the John Sebastiano vineyard and underwent 26 months of maturation in used French oak and stainless steel. The wine opens with "chalk and saline" before evolving into "scents of apricot, beeswax and meringue." Brooks emphasizes its "expansive, savory layers" and a "mouth-coating texture with mouthwatering acidity," suggesting that it will "benefit from 2-3 years in bottle or a couple of hours in a decanter" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 2/1/2024).
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also rated the wine 93, appreciating its distinctive characteristics. He notes that the 2020 Chardonnay "very much reflects the wild personality of this site" with "savory and mineral notes abound, while fruit is very much pushed into the background." Galloni adds that the aging in large format oak and stainless steel results in a "transparent, almost stark, Chardonnay" which he finds "quite striking" (Vinous, 9/1/2023).
In summary, the 2020 Sanguis Loner Chardonnay is a well-regarded wine with a balance of aromatic complexity and textural depth. It benefits from time in the glass or additional aging, showcasing a blend of ripe citrus, floral notes, and savory, mineral undertones.