I am about to hop on a plane to attend my older son’s graduation from graduate school. Yes, that is right, Nathan is about to receive a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. I would say “where did the time go?” but that would be cliché, and I try not to be cliché.

Today, I offer up tasting notes of the current releases from one of the best producers in Sonoma County, Tongue Dancer Wines. I met Kerry and James MacPhail about a decade ago, and I have been reviewing (and loving) their wines since. They recently sent me a slew of wines and first I present the reds, the way they do in Burgundy, since I try to do it like they do in Burgundy. 

2024 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA: Retail $55. Heavy Bottle (623g; 21.9oz). Under DIAM10. This is now my tenth consecutive vintage of this Sonoma Coast that I have reviewed and it just might be the best one yet. I know that sounds like hyperbole, and I have also touted the quality and beauty of Tongue Dancer’s Chardonnays. But this Pinot? James MacPhail has never been accused of shying away from big, fruity wines, but those who have that viewpoint seem to miss the point; his wines are wonderfully balanced and are much more about the acidity than the fruit. That is certainly the case here; the wine starts with a gorgeous nose of mostly darker berry fruit, a swath of vanilla, and subtle hints of both earth and oak. But on the palate, this already gorgeous wine really shines. Loaded with fruit, which includes now some red berry fruit, that touch of oak, and a spot of earth. But that acidity. It’s not aggressive or overly assertive, it’s well, perfect. Mingling in and out of the fruit with aplomb, it is the thread that connects this wine, not just to the other components but to the concept of what wine is meant to be. Sure, this is fantastic on its own, but it is so much more than that. When I placed this on the dinner table with a bit of our extended family, it immediately sparked conversation–about the region, the producer, the variety. As the discussion weaved in and around several loosely related topics, the wine was the common thread, present, not overly aggressive or assertive, performing the role that wine has played for millennia. Outstanding. 96 Points.

2024 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Foxtrot, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $40. Heavy bottle (627g; 22.1oz). This is now the fifth(?) vintage of this wine that I have sampled, but it still seems very much like the “new kid on the block” at Tongue Dancer. Last year? I loved the 2023 (93 Points), but this 2024 might even be better. Wonderful red and dark fruit on the nose, with a touch of eucalyptus, and just the slightest hint of earth. The palate, as one would expect from a James MacPhail wine, is laden with fruit, wave after wave of juiciness with an equally impressive tartness, and oodles and oodles of verve. This is unabashedly Californian and it is delicious. I recently served the 2022 version of this wine at a tasting for roughly 90 people and it stole the show. So while this is fantastic now, I am confident it will continue to improve over the next 5-10 years. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2024 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Vineyard Eleven, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $80. Heavy Bottle (620g; 21.8 oz). This is now the second vintage of this wine I have sampled (as well as the second vintage overall), and I really liked the 2023. I tasted it three times in total, and once I gave it a 92, while the other two times I rated it at 96. This 2024 is much more in line with the higher score I allotted the 2023. Medium to dark in color with darker berry fruit (black raspberry and even plum), a healthy dose of spice (allspice and some clove), and a load of verve. The fruit certainly carries onto the palate, but it lightens up a bit with more of a cherry vibe here. But the “real” story here? Then there is the vibrant, zingy acidity that not only ties the wine together, but also shows the fuller side (in spades) of a variety that is known for its tartness. Yowza. Yeah, James MacPhail has done it again (or “continues to do it”?) with this second iteration of Vineyard Eleven. I love his Chards, but these Pinots?? Off the charts. Outstanding. 96 Points.