Tongue Dancer Ultra Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2019
The Data
Country USA
Appellation Sonoma Coast
Varietal Chardonnay
Retail Price $95
ABV 13.22%
Score 5 Stars/99 points
In the Glass
Appearance
Brilliant, medium golden color.
Aromatics
The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of white peach, lemon curd, apple, and Asian pear with supporting notes of slate, kiwi, kumquat, and subtle notes of coconut.
Flavor
The palate echoes the nose delivering a tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, green apple, citrus zest, and subtle hints of lychee. The finish is long and lingering.
Intensity & Texture
Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a rich texture while being seductively restrained.
Cool Factor
BevX readers already know that Tounge Dancer Wines are cool and now they share their rarest edition — Ultra.
Value Grade
Value cannot be calculated with our usual formula. This is Tongue Dancer Wine's most expensive and most exclusive wine and will be gobbled up before a purchase could be made.
Analysis
Ladies and gents allow me to introduce Ultra. Tongue Dancer Wine's latest and here-to-date greatest tier showcasing the best barrel of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from a vintage. The packaging is also unique featuring a pair of artful images that appear to be gazing at each other. It's not known if TDW's Ultra Chardonnay will always follow the same style and fruit source (it did not in 2018) — we doubt that it will and we embrace the spontaneity. The 2019 Ultra Chardonnay is a 50/50 blend of Bacigalupi Vineyard's famous Frost Ranch and Pratt Vineyard at Irwin Lane. This is the first time that they have blended these two wines and the results are nothing short of stunning. It cannot be said to be purely Burgundian in style but its subdued alcohol strength, lively acidity, and frenetic austerity may surely remind Chardonnay lovers of white Burgundies from the 1980s and earlier. This is our highest-rated Chardonnay to date — 15 years a counting — and it will not likely be ousted anytime soon.
How to Enjoy
Serve chilled buy not too cold as this will mute the aromatics and flavors. Allow it to breathe for at least 30 minutes. This wine has a big future and if you have the patience to cellar this wine for five to 10 years you will be rewarded.