One of the iconic producers of Chardonnay in North America, Kongsgaard was founded by a fifth generation Napan, John Kongsgaard. The Kongsgaard family have been in the Napa area since the 1840s. John’s grandfather owned a stone quarry in Napa and John’s father was a Napa County Superior Court judge for more than twenty years. Following graduating high school in the late 1960’s the completed the UC Davis masters in enology and viticulture program. For a short time he worked at the Stony Hill winery in Napa and then worked for at Newton Vineyards as the winemaker from 1983 to 1996. John also studied under eminent wine consultant Michel Rolland. He has a Burgundian feel to all his wines and John has indicated that Michel Rolland had a profound influence in his style of winemaking. In 2004 John bought a 150 acre parcel of land on Atlas Peak where vines planted sit at as far up as 2500 feet. His property has a mere five acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Roussanne and Viognier.
I have been massively impressed with the past several releases of their Chardonnay. The 2016 Kongsgaard ‘Napa Valley’ Chardonnay (WWB, 95) is one of the great Chardonnays I have sampled over the past year. This is Napa Chardonnay at its best with the incredible combination of length, viscosity and tension. Learn more about this magical winery at http://www.kongsgaardwine.com Here are my tasting notes from the 2016 Chardonnay release by Kongsgaard.
2016 Kongsgaard ’Napa Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2016 Kongsgaard Chardonnay is a sensational wine that is showing its full-throttle decadence now at the four year mark. Once on the nose this takes on layers of vanilla Creme brûlée and butterscotch woven together with mango and pineapple upside down cake that all meld together in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and wonderfully viscous. Ripe banana and roasted pineapple intermingle with baking spice infused challah bread, and Meyer lemon creme brûlée flavors. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful Chardonnay will Cellar well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2020-2035- 95