“With 2022, Sandhi continues to deliver purity, focus, and precision…” – Wine Advocate

A single vineyard “indulgent” 97 points for $35 Chard from the cool California coast… made by a producer whose bottlings are “are invariably mistaken for high-quality white Burgundies.”

So says Wine Advocate and our own palate confirmed it. But one thing here you can’t mistake for a high-quality Burgundy - the price.

At this price, you can barely get a pour of an entry-level white Burgundy anymore. An impeccably crafted one with huge scores? Like Steven Tyler said, “Dream onnnnn!”

Sandhi is a genuine passion project like no other. It’s a joint venture between top sommelier Rajat Parr and restaurateur turned winemaker Sashi Moorman. The sum of their combined experiences and skills catapulted Sandhi to stardom from the start in 2010. As the New York Times noted, “These bottles reflect a style of California chardonnay that prizes freshness and finesse.”

Sandhi cofounder superstar somm Raj Parr is a true legend. If somms could vote for a king to rule them all, there is no doubt he’d be sitting on that throne, too. The man has wine glasses that are named after him! Ahem, where were we? Back to the wine…

To fully quote Wine Advocate, “I’ve followed the Sandhi wines - and the Chardonnays in particular - with interest since their early days, and it’s exciting to see the level of quality and consistency that this label is now attaining… The Chardonnay style is now firmly set at this address: the wines are elegantly textural, built around ripe and mouthwatering acids, and typically framed by a light touch of reduction. Blind, these bottlings are invariably mistaken for high-quality white Burgundies - the main difference being that they seem to open up and unwind structurally somewhat faster than white Burgundy traditionally does. What’s more, the cool Sta. Rita Hills sites that they come from are perfectly adapted to produce just that style of Chardonnay.”

That ‘style’ is perfectly in between a Meursault’s minerality and tension, with the creamy, plush texture of a Seasmoke Chardonnay that comes not too far from the William Hines Vineyard. Truly extraordinary, all the way from the alluringly floral and flinty nose to the filigreed, bright, and oh-so-long finish. It’s a wow wine that builds subtly and gets you on a subliminal level. With diver scallops tossed in brown butter and sage for example, it will blow minds, so make sure you grab several, that balmy Chardonnay weather is coming!

This wine, at this price makes for an unforgettable opportunity. And now the bad news, there wasn’t enough to last the day…

97 Points – James Suckling “Fabulously layered, creamy, delicate and mellow, with honey, almond, chalk and macadamia nut flavors on a rich texture, ending with a long, lacy finish. An indulgent, mouth-coating wine that doesn’t get heavy. Drink or hold.”