Tongue Dancer Wines Pratt Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Russian River Valley

Varietal Chardonnay

Retail Price $59

ABV 14.7%

Score 5 Stars/100 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, medium golden color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of Asian pear, jasmine, and apricot with supporting notes of kumquat, honeysuckle, brioche, and star fruit.

Flavor

The palate confirms the nose, delivering a ripe orchard fruit-driven core with flavors of lychee, lemon curd, citrus zest, apricot stone, meringue, and white peach. The finish is long and lingering.

Intensity & Texture

Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent yet vibrant texture.

Cool Factor

When Tongue Dancer Wines is on the label, you know it’s going to be cool, and this fourth edition of their Vine Hill Chardonnay crashes that ceiling.

Value Grade

If you find it difficult to imagine a $59 wine being a top-flight value, imagine further sipping the best Chardonnay you have ever had.

Analysis

We at BevX have reviewed thousands of wines for nearly two decades since launching in 2006. In this time, just three wines have earned the rare 100-point moniker. Two of these three centurians were made at Tongue Dancer Wines, including this, the fourth edition of their Pratt Vine Hill Chardonnay 2023. The grapes are sourced from Pratt Vineyard, located in Vine Hill. Three great Chardonnay clones are grown here: Mt Eden, Robert Young, and FPS 70 (Dijon). The blend of these clones yields a wine with exceptional complexity and depth, which has consistently scored 95 points or higher since its introduction. In 2023, the weather was cooler than usual, and the grapes hung on the vines for an extended period, resulting in a truly exceptional wine. The grapes were hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed straight to the barrel. It's 100% barrel-fermented and aged in French oak for 14 months (33% new) sur lie (on the lees), which gives it great texture and depth. Finally, it’s bottled unfined and lightly filtered. If you miss this one, you’ll regret it!

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled but 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.