Ron R

9.5

This evolved to a better place during the course of the evening. Mature, so get after this tout de suite! Look, at the price, I consider this to be a penis extension, which I would like 😉 — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

Grant Simpson

9.4

First ever rose from kongsaard delicious full throttle expression. No red wines produced in 2020 — 4 years ago

Rob Mayes

9.5

Unbelievable. More white than rosé. Notes of Kongsgaard. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

WNH Morgado Virtual Wine Tasting with winemaker Kimberley Hatcher and mentor Russell Bevan.

Coming from Steiner Vineyard in Bennett Valley (not familiar with the vineyard at all), this 2016 is, for me, in the same vein as a Kongsgaard or Hudson Chardonnay. When poured in the glass, it was golden and appeared oxidized. I anticipated it to be heavy and overly rich, but it wasn’t. Aromatically it showed honey roasted nuts, touch of orange marmalade, and herb crusted yellow fruits. On the palate, there is really nice acidity followed by more herbal yellow fruits, lemon cream pie crust and a finish showing a mix of cotton candy and lanolin. This goes through a similar “death and resurrection” type winemaking process (if I’m not mistaken), a process that John Kongsgaard made famous. It has a very Hudson/Carneros feel to it. Very enjoyable now. — 5 years ago

with Carl, Eric and 6 others

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2013 vintage. Medium-medium heavy body. Sage and anise on the nose. In that perfect spot between youth and maturity where the spring is partially unwound, yet still measurably coiled. Dropped the baby fat and aggressive fruit overtures but toned. Ain't no rush to crush. What I would do to roll through a vertical tasting of Araujo Eisele Vineyard Syrah might end up on the police blotter. There are more demonstrative Syrahs in California such as SQN, Saxum and Kongsgaard (and they are all top-notch phenomenal in their own way) but this deserves to be in the conversation amongst the best the region has to offer. 05.05.25. — 6 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Hudson ranch & vineyard wine tasting

2013 estate syrah
2014 old master (60%cab franc & merlot)
2016 Phoenix (60% merlot, and cab franc)
2011 estate chardonnay
2016 little bit chardonnay
2021 estate cabernet (1st release)
2021 estate grenache

Fun tasting and tour around this classic 2,000 acre Carneros property(200 acres in vines). Grapes sold to more than 25 different wineries like Aubert, Kongsgaard, Kistler, Ramey,etc. — a year ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.3

My first experience with this producer, and wow! White burgundy is very hit or miss for me, but this was a total hit.

In the glass, someone could have told me they poured me Kongsgaard and I’d of believed them. Deep golden color. Even aromatically and initially on the palate it was as though someone blended Kongsgaard (very Hudson like), with mersault. There is a bitter honey/truffle honey note up front alongside overripe peach, honey roasted cashews, and orange marmalade. On the palate, it’s certainly rich but not so much from oak...honeycomb, honey covered cotton candy, caramel dipped golden delicious apples, almond shavings and a kiss of lanolin on the finish. This only improved in the bottle after 2-3hrs of being open. Drinking wonderfully right now. I need to hunt down some bottles! Thanks for the heads up here, @David T . — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Jarvis is a winery I will always have fond memories of due to visiting it many times so early in my wine journey. While I enjoyed the reds (especially the cab franc and merlot), their Finch Hollow Chardonnay (both the filtered and unfiltered) were standouts. My last bottle!

A youthful bright yellow in the glass. Rich and integrated aromatics of salted popcorn, lemon cream and honey roasted cashews. Tidal wave of flavor on the palate that borders on hedonistic but pulls back just before. Oak is in-play with some baking spices and honey helping round the profile. Acidity has faded a bit but these have always had good phenolic grip, an almond skin-like finish. This reminds me of a blend of Aubert’s SugarShack (Napa warmth) with Kongsgaard (texture and grip). Not getting any better, this is a window that I have to imagine the winery was working towards. Delicious. — 7 months ago

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Onto something we love after the Kongsgaard palate burn.

Never disappoints, consistent, rich, ripe deep red fruits with just the right amount of minerality & chalkiness.

Some acid to pair with vinaigrette salad.

375ml

Photos of, the House of Ruinart, painting of Founder Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves & Grand Cru Vineyards. — 6 years ago