Tongue Dancer Putnam Vineyard Pinot Noir West Sonoma Coast 2022
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, elderberry, and dried herbs with supporting notes of garrigue, slate, thyme, iron, cocoa, and tamari. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, black tea, and graphite. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. The 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noirs are wines for cellaring — they are noble beasts with dexterity. $75 – 4.5 Stars – 96 points
Troon Vineyard Druid's Pink Applegate Valley 2023
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium salmon color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of kumquat, strawberry, and spring flowers with supporting notes of crushed berries, slate, and red grapefruit. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, star fruit, and citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering with tart red fruits that present a slight effervecenance. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with a blend of 62% Mourvedre, 18% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Carignan, and 5% Counoice. $25 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache Clarendon 2010
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of wild berries, raspberry, and dried herbs with supporting notes of leather, dried fruits, and black tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, earth, garrigue, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a voluptuous texture. $70 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Tongue Dancer Pinot de Ville Pinot Noir West Sonoma Coast 2022
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry, dried herbs, and red cherry with supporting notes of black tea, forest floor, slate, truffle, red cherry, fennel seed, and hibiscus flower. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, five spice, cranberry jam, and wild blueberry with hints of mint. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins and sexy oak accents. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. The 2022 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noirs are wines for cellaring — they are noble beasts with dexterity. $69 – 4.5 Stars – 97 points
Tongue Dancer Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, light golden color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of green apple, lychee, and oak with supporting notes of mineral, citrus zest, and lemon curd. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of pear, slate, vanilla custard, peach, and orange peel. The finish is long and lingering. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $55 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Tongue Dancer Pratt Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, medium golden color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of pear, white peach, and citrus zest with supporting notes of kumquat, lemon grass, and honeysuckle. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of lemon curd, apricot stone, slate, oak, and quince. The finish is long and lingering. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a creamy but vibrant texture. $59 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
De Forville Barbera d'Alba 2022
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry, bramble, and forest floor with supporting notes of black tea, cassis, and garrigue. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of boysenberry, slate, and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. $19 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Thunevin-Calvet Cuvee Constance Cotes Du Roussillon-Villages 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, cocoa, and graphite with supporting notes of slate, garrigue, and bramble. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, black tea, and licorice. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent texture. $24 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Urbión Reserva Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, forest floor, and violet with supporting notes of cassis, anise, slate, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, lavender, and bramble. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $24 – 4 Stars – 93 points
De Forville Chardonnay Piemonte 2023
Brilliant, light pale straw color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of honeysuckle, green apple, and citrus zest with supporting notes of pear and green tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of star fruit, apricot stone, blanched almonds, and quince. The finish is crisp. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $19 – 4 Stars – 91 points
