Kongsgaard
The Judge Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
“Perfectly rounded” was what first came to mind when I drank this. Rich and opulent, yet incredibly seamless. Even in its youth, the mealy and creamy vanilla oak character did not feel out of place, especially against the preserve-like fruits ranging from lemons to apricots. Expectedly long with a dense glycerol-like texture, savoury finish, and energising acidity. Not typically a style that I’d rave about, but credit where credit’s due, the concentration, texture, and oak quality were all remarkable. CW even went so far to say that it was Monty-like, and I’m certain he isn’t the first nor last person to make such a claim. However, we too noted that the warmth and lack of verticality in structure was a dead giveaway of its Napa origin. A contemplative wine of great presence at this point, but probably needs another decade or more to be truly digestible.
“Perfectly rounded” was what first came to mind when I drank this. Rich and opulent, yet incredibly seamless. Even in its youth, the mealy and creamy vanilla oak character did not feel out of place, especially against the preserve-like fruits ranging from lemons to apricots. Expectedly long with a dense glycerol-like texture, savoury finish, and energising acidity. Not typically a style that I’d rave about, but credit where credit’s due, the concentration, texture, and oak quality were all remarkable. CW even went so far to say that it was Monty-like, and I’m certain he isn’t the first nor last person to make such a claim. However, we too noted that the warmth and lack of verticality in structure was a dead giveaway of its Napa origin. A contemplative wine of great presence at this point, but probably needs another decade or more to be truly digestible.
Jul 31st, 2022
This was opened for my good friend, and winemaker for Montagu & Silver Ghost, Weston’s birthday. Our local group has long had many opinions on if Kongsgaard’s Judge is worth the up-charge due to expected lifespan. With Kongsgaard’s “death and resurrection” winemaking style, we’ve come across more overly oxidized bottles of Judge within 10yrs than we’d expect. And the regular Chardonnay bottling at less than half the price drinks just as good, if not better, at all stages. That being said, when the Judge is in that magical spot, it is simply spectacular.
My hopes here were fairly low in terms of vibrancy, but at first pour, I knew I was in for something special. Had that green tinge I come across ever so often (which normally leads to young wine and/or wine not exposed to oxygen…neither of those apply here). Steely and tart initially before turning quickly to a more powdered lemon bar, exotic tropical ripe fruits like nutmeg dusted white peach and juicy stone fruit (a bit Peter Michael Point Rouge like on the nose). Salted honey roasted cashews, pineapple, rich honeycomb and a lanolin type twang on the mid palate. Finish here is astoundingly lengthy. While this was likely profound 2-3yrs ago, it’s fantastic today (assuming you don’t experience bottle variation)! Drink up!
This was opened for my good friend, and winemaker for Montagu & Silver Ghost, Weston’s birthday. Our local group has long had many opinions on if Kongsgaard’s Judge is worth the up-charge due to expected lifespan. With Kongsgaard’s “death and resurrection” winemaking style, we’ve come across more overly oxidized bottles of Judge within 10yrs than we’d expect. And the regular Chardonnay bottling at less than half the price drinks just as good, if not better, at all stages. That being said, when the Judge is in that magical spot, it is simply spectacular.
My hopes here were fairly low in terms of vibrancy, but at first pour, I knew I was in for something special. Had that green tinge I come across ever so often (which normally leads to young wine and/or wine not exposed to oxygen…neither of those apply here). Steely and tart initially before turning quickly to a more powdered lemon bar, exotic tropical ripe fruits like nutmeg dusted white peach and juicy stone fruit (a bit Peter Michael Point Rouge like on the nose). Salted honey roasted cashews, pineapple, rich honeycomb and a lanolin type twang on the mid palate. Finish here is astoundingly lengthy. While this was likely profound 2-3yrs ago, it’s fantastic today (assuming you don’t experience bottle variation)! Drink up!
Smiles beyond belief
Everyone should do a virtual wine tasting with the @David L @Ron R @Shay A @Eric LaMasters @Bill Bender @joe lucca @Carl Fischer @shawn rose and me
We just did one and so much fun
My first wine of the the night was the 2016 Kongsguard the judge - off the hook good - a little early but so damn good
Smiles beyond belief
Everyone should do a virtual wine tasting with the @David L @Ron R @Shay A @Eric LaMasters @Bill Bender @joe lucca @Carl Fischer @shawn rose and me
We just did one and so much fun
My first wine of the the night was the 2016 Kongsguard the judge - off the hook good - a little early but so damn good
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I had the ‘16 about 4 months ago and found it to be more rich as this was slightly more mineral like in profile. It’s undoubtedly still massive and a beautifully round wine though. Maybe this vintage is slightly more elegant and finesse driven. Floral, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and sea salt aromatics. Focused and clean on the palate with honeyed almonds, wet rock, and lemon oil. Thanks @Weston Eidson .
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I had the ‘16 about 4 months ago and found it to be more rich as this was slightly more mineral like in profile. It’s undoubtedly still massive and a beautifully round wine though. Maybe this vintage is slightly more elegant and finesse driven. Floral, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and sea salt aromatics. Focused and clean on the palate with honeyed almonds, wet rock, and lemon oil. Thanks @Weston Eidson .
Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.
Tasted alongside the Napa chardonnay from Kongsgaard, this was more elegant and finesse driven in every way. The nose wasn’t as bold with the oak and the palate was more acidic with lemon tart, lemon cream, and honeysuckle sporting a lengthy finish. My understanding is that The Judge builds in power with age so this is a peek at the very beginning of its climb. I guessed this was 2014 Aubert Ritchie.
Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.
Tasted alongside the Napa chardonnay from Kongsgaard, this was more elegant and finesse driven in every way. The nose wasn’t as bold with the oak and the palate was more acidic with lemon tart, lemon cream, and honeysuckle sporting a lengthy finish. My understanding is that The Judge builds in power with age so this is a peek at the very beginning of its climb. I guessed this was 2014 Aubert Ritchie.
Left off from WNH postings from previous weekend - delicious
Left off from WNH postings from previous weekend - delicious
May 28th, 2019
Another with @Kimberly Anderson and crew in Chicago. Lots of tension here with fresh honeysuckle and lychee, the fruit and oak are still battling it out a bit so I’d say this needs more time in bottle, but a beautiful expression of CA Montrachet style Chardonnay from one of the leaders.
Another with @Kimberly Anderson and crew in Chicago. Lots of tension here with fresh honeysuckle and lychee, the fruit and oak are still battling it out a bit so I’d say this needs more time in bottle, but a beautiful expression of CA Montrachet style Chardonnay from one of the leaders.
Dec 8th, 2018The Judge has few domestic Chard equals but this was reluctant and wee bit fat in SA. Give it a minute.
The Judge has few domestic Chard equals but this was reluctant and wee bit fat in SA. Give it a minute.
Nov 11th, 2018