I am sure that far too often wine is compared to a song or a symphony. I once compared a wine to a cacophony (yes, also overused.) I have to admit however, that there are certain times when only the right description will do. If an item is a spade, calling it a spade does not seem trite. Therefore, for the first time ever, I must write that this Kongsgaard is like a song. A great song. The kind of song Mozart would write and Tom Jones would sing. And I don't mean the cheesy Tom Jones. This is the Tom Jones that sang Unchained Melody better than the Righteous Brothers. So is this saying that Romanee Conti Montrachet is like the Righteous brothers? No, Romanee Conti is much, much better. That is why, despite the superlatives, this Kongsgaard gets a 95 and not a 100.
It is important to note that comparing this wine to Burgundy is not realistic. This is California Chardonnay. There are California minerals here, and nuts. Yes, you French people, there is toast. But not Rocky Horror toast, this is french toast without the vanilla or syrup. Smell the nice flowers. Despite the many flavors, this is not a cacophony. Each flavor is given an opportunity to solo. Then a duet, then a trio. Then back to a solo. Rising above it all, given a rare star performance is grapefruit. Unlike a discordant tuba, this grapefruit lacks any sourness or bitterness.
- Danielle Thralow
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, JOHN BONNE
How John Kongsgaard rewrote the rules - "Kongsgaard is
producing what for three decades have been some of
California's, and arguably the world's most timeless
expressions of white wine." July 22, 2013 Read More
THE WINE ADVOCATE, ROBERT PARKER
"These wines from John Kongsgaard were among the highlights from the month I spent in Napa Valley this year. The overall quality level here is absolutely remarkable. It is rare to see someone who is so brilliant with so many grape varieties, but Kongsgaard seems to have the magic touch." Antonio Galloni, December 2012. Read More
INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR, STEPHEN TANZER
"My recent tour of the best Napa Valley addresses began with a bang with John Kongsgaard's wines. Kongsgaard's performance in the tricky 2011 vintage is especially impressive." May/June 2013. Read More
THE RHONE REPORT, JEB DUNNUCK
"This was a thrilling tasting with John Kongsgaard; and his Hudson Vineyard Syrah is one of the most seamless, silky wines I've ever tasted. Make no mistake though, these are hedonistically styled wines that feature massive amounts of voluptuous fruit and texture, yet what sets them apart is that they also possess brilliant depth, balance, and structure." Read More
BLOOMBERG, THE FIMASAURUS
"I have to brag about something that’s much more important to me than anything else in my career: There is a wine named after me -- Fimasaurus, a blend of cabernet and merlot produced by John Kongsgaard in Napa Valley." -Yefim Bronfman Read More
THE WINE SPECTATOR, JAMES LAUBE
Storm Clouds, Silver Lining - "Both of Kongsgaard's 2010 Chardonnays are sensational." May 31, 2013 Read More
2013 POCKET WINE BOOK, HUGH JOHNSON
"The Judge Chardonnay may be the best in California, with its intense minerality and great power. Napa Valley Chardonnay, from Carneros grapes, is also splendid."
NEW YORK TIMES, ERIC ASIMOV
Kongsgaard consistently makes the best Chardonnay in California today. 2011
THE PURPLE PAGES, JANCIS ROBINSON
2001 Chardonnay, sweet and seductive, positively slides on to the palate. So powerful yet with real structure and fabulous acidity. Reminds me slightly of DRC 1978 Montrachet — need one say more? 2007
WINE SPECTATOR, JAMES LAUBE
Number 8 of the Top 100 Wines of 2006. 2003 Chardonnay — a fantastic, opulent mouthful of Chardonnay, with complex, concentrated layers of fig, cream, butterscotch and marshmallow, the flavors go on seemingly forever. Chardonnay in this style doesn't get much better, and for all its richness and depth, this wine has amazing finesse. 97 points
THE ROBB REPORT, BEST OF THE BEST
2001 Chardonnay — massive mineral foundation rises gradually on the palate toward complex traceries of oak, citrus, and luminous acidity. This tiny family operation has quietly produced a white wine all its own that takes its cue as much from Montrachet or Meursault as from Napa. 2005
MATT KRAMER'S NEW CALIFORNIA WINE
Kongsgaard makes some of Napa Valley's most original-tasting white wines. These are wines of real character and distinction. Kongsgaard is an intense, lemony, dense Chardonnay that is more reminiscent of a grand cru Chablis, which is no small achievement.
FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
His transfixing Chardonnay is a wine so profoundly layered; you feel that you don't so much drink it as excavate it. 2004
It is important to note that comparing this wine to Burgundy is not realistic. This is California Chardonnay. There are California minerals here, and nuts. Yes, you French people, there is toast. But not Rocky Horror toast, this is french toast without the vanilla or syrup. Smell the nice flowers. Despite the many flavors, this is not a cacophony. Each flavor is given an opportunity to solo. Then a duet, then a trio. Then back to a solo. Rising above it all, given a rare star performance is grapefruit. Unlike a discordant tuba, this grapefruit lacks any sourness or bitterness.
- Danielle Thralow
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, JOHN BONNE
How John Kongsgaard rewrote the rules - "Kongsgaard is
producing what for three decades have been some of
California's, and arguably the world's most timeless
expressions of white wine." July 22, 2013 Read More
THE WINE ADVOCATE, ROBERT PARKER
"These wines from John Kongsgaard were among the highlights from the month I spent in Napa Valley this year. The overall quality level here is absolutely remarkable. It is rare to see someone who is so brilliant with so many grape varieties, but Kongsgaard seems to have the magic touch." Antonio Galloni, December 2012. Read More
INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR, STEPHEN TANZER
"My recent tour of the best Napa Valley addresses began with a bang with John Kongsgaard's wines. Kongsgaard's performance in the tricky 2011 vintage is especially impressive." May/June 2013. Read More
THE RHONE REPORT, JEB DUNNUCK
"This was a thrilling tasting with John Kongsgaard; and his Hudson Vineyard Syrah is one of the most seamless, silky wines I've ever tasted. Make no mistake though, these are hedonistically styled wines that feature massive amounts of voluptuous fruit and texture, yet what sets them apart is that they also possess brilliant depth, balance, and structure." Read More
BLOOMBERG, THE FIMASAURUS
"I have to brag about something that’s much more important to me than anything else in my career: There is a wine named after me -- Fimasaurus, a blend of cabernet and merlot produced by John Kongsgaard in Napa Valley." -Yefim Bronfman Read More
THE WINE SPECTATOR, JAMES LAUBE
Storm Clouds, Silver Lining - "Both of Kongsgaard's 2010 Chardonnays are sensational." May 31, 2013 Read More
2013 POCKET WINE BOOK, HUGH JOHNSON
"The Judge Chardonnay may be the best in California, with its intense minerality and great power. Napa Valley Chardonnay, from Carneros grapes, is also splendid."
NEW YORK TIMES, ERIC ASIMOV
Kongsgaard consistently makes the best Chardonnay in California today. 2011
THE PURPLE PAGES, JANCIS ROBINSON
2001 Chardonnay, sweet and seductive, positively slides on to the palate. So powerful yet with real structure and fabulous acidity. Reminds me slightly of DRC 1978 Montrachet — need one say more? 2007
WINE SPECTATOR, JAMES LAUBE
Number 8 of the Top 100 Wines of 2006. 2003 Chardonnay — a fantastic, opulent mouthful of Chardonnay, with complex, concentrated layers of fig, cream, butterscotch and marshmallow, the flavors go on seemingly forever. Chardonnay in this style doesn't get much better, and for all its richness and depth, this wine has amazing finesse. 97 points
THE ROBB REPORT, BEST OF THE BEST
2001 Chardonnay — massive mineral foundation rises gradually on the palate toward complex traceries of oak, citrus, and luminous acidity. This tiny family operation has quietly produced a white wine all its own that takes its cue as much from Montrachet or Meursault as from Napa. 2005
MATT KRAMER'S NEW CALIFORNIA WINE
Kongsgaard makes some of Napa Valley's most original-tasting white wines. These are wines of real character and distinction. Kongsgaard is an intense, lemony, dense Chardonnay that is more reminiscent of a grand cru Chablis, which is no small achievement.
FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
His transfixing Chardonnay is a wine so profoundly layered; you feel that you don't so much drink it as excavate it. 2004
