The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Dry Creek Valley

Varietal   Chardonnay

Retail Price   $59

ABV   13.4%

Score   5 Stars/98 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, medium gold/green color.

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of lemon curd, spring flowers, and lychee with supporting notes of apricot stone, green tea, and guava.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, star fruit, citrus zest, blanched almonds, beeswax, and lightly toasted hazelnut. The finish is long and lingering.

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture.

Cool Factor

Not many winemakers can make Chardonnay cool — it's ubiquitous — but Tongue Dancer delivers a collection of Chardonnays with personality.

Value Grade

Handmade Chardonnay from Dry Creek, crafted in limited quantities, is never to be found in the bargain aisle, but we find this wine to be irresistible.

Analysis

Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW) has just released its second vintage of their “Sly One” Chardonnay, and we are over the moon. This satisfies our desire for excellent wines with a touch of intrigue as well. Like the first vintage in 2021, the Sly One Chardonnay hails from Dry Creek Valley, near Healdsburg. The vineyard is planted with the Montrachet clone — a name very familiar to white Burgundy lovers. The 2023 Sly One Chardonnay is a sibling to TDW's Magnolia Montrachet Chardonnay. The two were separated at birth, with the Magnolia Montrachet being fermented and raised in a concrete “hippo,” while the Sly One was barrel-fermented in neutral French oak. The wine was then rested on its lees for 15 months, developing unsurpassed flavors. We hope they continue on the path of two different treatments for this spectacular Chardonnay.

How to Enjoy

Of course, this wine needs nothing but a glass, but it is also food-friendly, thanks to its great depth and natural acidity, which pairs well with grilled shrimp or sautéed scallops.