Beverage of the Week (BOW)

Tongue Dancer Wines Pratt Vyd Irwin Lane Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023

Product Story

The 2023 vintage represents the seventh release of Tongue Dancer Wines’ Pratt Vineyard/Irwin Lane Chardonnay or simply the “Flying Barrel” as it is affectionately known. We have been a huge fan of this wine from the start with the 2017 vintage and have yet to award any version fewer than 95 points. This Chardonnay is made entirely with certified organic grapes. Whole clusters are pressed grapes straight to tank, then transferred to barrel. It is wholly fermented in barrel, with Burgundian yeast, and rested on its lees for 11 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Unlike many California Chardonnays, this wine uses oak as a subtle accent, allowing the complex fruit to shine. It was bottled unfired and lightly filtered in August of 2024. It’s amazingly lean while supple with stupendous balance and length. This is certainly for lovers of White Burgundy — Chablis Premier Cru.

Brand Story

Tongue Dancer Wines is the creation of James and Kerry MacPhail. If you are a California Pinot Noir lover, you likely know James' previous work with MacPhail Family Wines. James knows how to make amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and James knows a lot of people who grow spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We have been reviewing the wines from Tongue Dancer for the better part of a decade and have never seen a Tongue Dancer Wine fail to earn Four-Stars or better. Tongue Dancer constantly innovates, releasing new wines yearly while never missing a beat. Once, they surprised us by releasing a great, dry cider! This is a winery to watch. The wines are always in short supply, so be swift. Visit their website and join their mailing list to get direct access to their wines.

Tasting Note

Brilliant, medium gold/green color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of lemon curd, lychee, and citrus zest with supporting notes of meringue, apricot stone, slate, and brioche. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, orange peel, tropical fruit, and quince paste. The finish is long and lingering with bright, natural acidity. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet supple texture.

How to Serve

Serve chilled but not too cold or you will suppress the subtle nuances abundant in this wine. Pair it with smoked fish, grilled fowl, or kaeng lueang.

Price: $ 49

BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4485