Tongue Dancer is the new project by winemaker James MacPhail and his wife, Kerry. They chose the name because they wanted to make wines "that dance across your tongue," they told me recently. This pinot from Sonoma’s Putnam Vineyard fits the bill, showing lively red fruits, bright acidity, flavor purity and excellent length on the palate, and a pleasing floral note. Beautifully balanced, it’s delicious now but would benefit from another year or two in the cellar.
Tongue Dancer, Sonoma County (California) Pinot Noir 2014
By Robert Whitley