The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Sonoma Coast

Varietal   Pinot Noir

Retail Price   $69

ABV   14.5%

Score   5 Stars/100 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, dried herbs, and black cherry with supporting notes of cranberry, slate, black tea, boysenberry, and forest floor.

The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, raspberry, five spice, and purple mulberry. The finish is long and lingering perfectly marrying fruit and spice.

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a luxurious texture — perfect.

Cool Factor

BevX readers know that the wines from Tongue Dancer are always cool but we have a special treat fro you all this time. Their outstanding "Pinot de Ville" has reached a new level...

Value Grade

Have you heard that Pinot Noir is expensive? Sure you have. Pinot Noir perfection is available for sale this year. Get it while you can.

Analysis

The 2021 vintage marks the eighth edition of The Tongue Dancer "Pinot de Ville" (PDV) — like last year, this one is not like the others. The first six vintages of PDV were made with fruit sourced from Putnam Vineyard in Sonoma Coast. Last year Tongue Dancer was forced to find new sources due to the wildfire of 2020. In 2021 they again found new sources for their now iconic PDV Pinot Noir. Through the years James MacPhail and Tongue Dancer have proved to be Pinot Noir virtuosos and masters at sourcing great fruit. The 2021 PDV is sourced from Sugar Pine Vineyard (located in Putnam Vineyard) and what is being called the Super Secret Spot — they truly cannot reveal the spot and I’ve asked. As always, the grapes are hand-picked and gently destemmed, not crushed — then cold soaked for five days. This Pinot rests for 14 months exclusively in French oak barrels (33% new) prior to bottling. The production is very limited so get some fast.

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 ribeye or rich, braised beef and mushrooms.