Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Tongue Dancer Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021
Product Story
The 2021 vintage marks the seventh edition of their lovely Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay — somehow this still feels like a new wine but it’s not. We have reviewed all of seven of them witnessing an amazing record of success. Having a consistent history with this wine causes us to eventually compare it to previous vintages. This 2021 vintage has strong similarities in style and quality to their great 2016 and 2019 vintages. Each of these seven has been a product of the vintage but the core characteristics have always been present. This vineyard features the Old Wente clone — a Chardonnay clone brought to California from Burgundy in 1912 by C.H. Wente. Like previous vintages, the 2021 Bacigalupi Chardonnay is completely barrel-fermented with native yeasts. The wine was then rested, sur lie, for a period of 14 months in French oak (20% new). This amazing and perfectly balanced Chardonnay is made entirely at their Grapewagon Crush facility in Healdsburg.
Brand Story
Tongue Dancer Wines is the creation of James and Kerry MacPhail. If you are a California Pinot Noir lover you likely know James' previous work with MacPhail Family Wines. James knows how to make amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and James knows a lot of people who grow spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We have been reviewing the wines from Tongue Dancer for the better part of a decade and we have never seen a Tongue Dancer Wine fail to earn Four-Stars or better. Tongue Dancer is constantly innovating, releasing new wines every year while never missing a beat. Last year they surprised us with the release of a great, dry cider! This is a winery to watch. The wines are always in short supply so be swift. Visit their website and join their mailing list to get direct access to their wines.
Tasting Note
Brilliant, light golden color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of lemon curd, honeysuckle, and citrus zest with supporting notes of lychee, baked apple, and apricot stone. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of ripe green apple, white peach, passion fruit, kumquat, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with citrus accents. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet opulent texture.
How to Serve
Serve chilled but not too cold or you will suppress the subtle nuances abundant in this wine. Pair it with roasted fowl or fatty grilled fish. Of course it really needs nothing but a glass...
Price: $ 50
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4343
