93 points Rhone Report: "Incredibly Chablis like, with intense minerality, gunpowder, and flint characteristics giving way to more citrus and herb like qualities on the nose, the 2010 Sanguis Chardonnay Loner W10-a is 100% Chardonnay (no Malolactic fermentation) that was aged in a combination of older barrel and stainless steel. Gaining more fruit in the glass, this striking Chardonnay has racy acidity, a medium-bodied, supple texture, and beautiful purity of fruit. Give the overall balance, concentration and acidity, I would imagine that this would age well for a number of years. However, given the lack of any solid reference points, and the fact that it's superb now, I see no reason to hold off. (Jun 2012)"

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "The Loner title seems to refer to an absence of oak, although it's not entirely unoaked. The wine spent time in what the winemaker calls 'seasoned barriques' that lent no overt oak influence, but let the wine breathe and mellow. Marked by intense lemon, lime and mineral flavors, this bone-dry wine is elegant and eccentric. abv: 14.3%. (Jul 2012)"

90 points Wine Spectator: "Delivers a laser beam of citrus-infused honeysuckle, green apple and honeydew melon flavors, maintaining its vibrancy on the long, vibrant finish. Drink now through 2020. 125 cases made. (2012)"

Producer notes: "‘The Loners’ are varietal and vineyard-specific wines fermented on their indigenous yeasts with ample inclusion of whole clusters; there is no use of new oak, no racking, and of course no fining or filtration -- oh, and they are Burgundianby lineage. While Chardonnay can be a welcome component in some of the white Rhone varietal blends that we make under the Sanguis label, it can rather obviously be a stunning thing onto itself when grown in the right place (and tended to with the same respect that seems strangely reserved for the red varieties). In recognition of this potential, this minimalist Chardonnay is made within the same parameters -- ‘brought up’ in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels, whole cluster, etc., etc. From yet another young block, this one at the famous Bien Nacidovineyard in the cool foothills east of Santa Maria -- also a marginal-magical place where Chardonnay retains searing high acidity while achieving stunning ripeness -- delicate yet strong, subtle yet expressive, bright and vibrant -- singular/beautiful. 250 six-pack cases produced from 2.5 acres."