Tongue Dancer Wines Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2017

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Sonoma Coast

Varietal Pinot Noir

Retail Price $65

ABV 14.3%

Score 5 Stars/99 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of dried cherry and dried herbs with supporting notes of black tea, earth, violet, and oak.

Flavor

The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, baking spices, and hibiscus flower. The finish is long and lingering with firm but supple tannins.

Intensity & Texture

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty (for Pinot Noir) yet silky texture.

Cool Factor

What's not cool about a delicious, tiny production (just five barrels) Pinot with personality. This is our favorite Tongue Dancer "Pinot de Ville" to date.

Value Grade

Have you heard that Pinot Noir is expensive? Sure you have. This very stylish wine won't make anyone's bargain list but it's exceptional and extraordinarily limited so if you blink you'll miss your chance to get a few bottles. Only a 120 cases were made.

Analysis

The 2017 vintage marks the fourth edition of The Tongue Dancer "Pinot de Ville" and it’s our favorite to date (we at BevX have never given a score of 99 points). As always, grapes are sourced from the Putnam Vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast town of Annapolis just six miles from the Pacific coast. The grapes are hand-picked and gently destemmed, not crushed. The five-day pre-fermentation cold soak undoubtedly contributes to the rich ruby color and intense aromatics. This Pinot rests for 16 months exclusively in French oak barrels (25% new) prior to bottling. This is a wine for serious Pinot Noir lovers. Burgundy lovers will weep while sipping this beauty. Each vintage features a different Cadillac DeVille on the label and this year a bright lavender 1972 DeVille graces the bottle. Just 120 cases made — get this Pinot before it disappears.

How to Enjoy

This wine really needs nothing but a glass but the rich texture and bright acidity would pair perfectly with a grilled beef tenderloin or rich braised beef and mushrooms. Be sure to decant before drinking.