The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Russian River Valley

Varietal   Chardonnay

Retail Price   $42

ABV   13.7%

Score   4.5 Stars/96 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, medium golden color.

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of "leesy" freshly baked bread, baked apple, and lychee with supporting notes of honey, white peach, and citrus zest.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of baked fruits, lemon curd, and wet stones. The finish is long and lingering with subtle oak accents.

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent yet sprite texture.

Cool Factor

When you make Chardonnay cool you have really done something. The Tongue Dancer Chardonnays from Russian River have been perfectly true to place and varietal.

Value Grade

Handmade Chardonnay from Russian River crafted in limited quantities is never to be found in the bargain aisle but we find this wine to be irresistible. Just 130 cases produced.

Analysis

This wine represents Tongue Dancer Wines fourth Chardonnay and the second from Pratt Vineyard Irwin Lane in the Russian River Valley AVA. This vintage is a bit different than the last. Tongue Dancer frequently utilizes native yeast and in some cases the fermentation process can yield flavors that the French call "sauvage" meaning wild or natural. Great winemaking consists of farming, artistry of the winemaker, and mother nature — not necessarily in that order. The resulting wine has an extra lees or fresh homemade bread characteristic. We love that little nuance in this wine. The Chardonnay from this vineyard is all certified organic and the fruit was hand-picked. This Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented and rested on its lees for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). It is drinking great now — the but this wine has a promising future as well and five years in the cellar should reveal additional nuances.

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled but not too cold or you will suppress the the subtle nuances abundant in this wine. Pair it with smoked fish or vegetable curries.