The 2021 Senses Charles Heitz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a noteworthy wine from the North Coast region of California. This Chardonnay, crafted by Senses, is characterized by a striking balance of flavors and a complex profile, earning high praise from several esteemed reviewers.

James Suckling awarded this wine a score of 95, describing it as having "dried apple and dried peaches with some ginger and spices." He notes its full-bodied nature with "phenolic tension and layered texture," highlighting its chewy and intense qualities. Suckling also mentions notes of honeysuckle and honey, concluding that it has a "flavorful finish" and labeling it as "unique" (jamessuckling.com, 12/5/2023).

Jeb Dunnuck also gave this Chardonnay a 95, emphasizing its "opulence" with ripe tropical fruit notes like "orange oil, roasted pineapple, beeswax," and a "stylistic touch of flint." He describes it as "ripe and round, with medium to full body," rich with "golden yellow fruits and marzipan." Dunnuck notes its "generous and open-knit nature" while suggesting that it will continue to improve over the next decade (jebdunnuck.com, 7/21/2023).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this wine at 94, noting its barrel fermentation and 14 months of maturation in around one-third new French oak. The wine opens with "wafts of flint and saline," giving way to "white peach and savory tones of dried hay, chamomile, and honey." The palate is described as "silky and energetic," with a "concentrated core of fruit" that is still mineral-driven at this stage (12/15/2023).

Vinous provided a slightly lower score of 91, but still praised the wine's "airy and nicely lifted" characteristics. They noted "sweet floral notes, orchard fruit, lemon confit, mint, and jasmine," which give the Chardonnay "terrific brightness" and an "understated" style (8/1/2023).

The Wine Independent offered the highest praise, scoring it at 97. They highlighted "notions of almond croissant, persimmons, and candied ginger," leading to a "fragrant core of mandarin peel, lime blossoms, and juicy nectarines," with a "waft of butterscotch." The palate is described as an "explosion of bright citrus and stone fruit fireworks," with "fantastic tension and a satiny texture," finishing "long and minerally" (4/13/2023).

Overall, the 2021 Senses Charles Heitz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a well-crafted wine with a balanced and complex profile, worthy of the high scores and accolades it has received.