2015 Kongsgaard Napa Valley Chardonnay

“A barrel sample to be bottled around July 2018, the 2015 Chardonnay gives up peach blossoms, apricot preserves, honeycomb and croissant with touches of cashews and jasmine. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and seductive, it has a gorgeous creamy texture and very long, very spicy finish. (LPB)” (10/2017)

“The 2015 is another absolutely sensational showing for this iconic Napa Valley Chardonnay. This opes to inviting aromatics of vanilla crème brûlée, bright lemon, brioche and freshly sliced red apples all taking shape in the glass. The palate is exceedingly plush, while maintaining wonderful tension and balance. It continues to impress with its beautifully concentrated flavors of crème brûlée, butterscotch, bananas foster and roasted pineapple, which all lead up the long, complex finish, which complete this remarkable wine. Seamless and memorable, this is another astonishing wine made by the utterly talented winemaker John Kongsgaard. (OB)” (01/2018)

“John Kongsgaard learned his craft at Coche-Dury and Lafon in Burgundy, then Stag’s Leap. His ultra-lean and minerally Chardonnays manage to be both powerful and refined. (RS)” (07/2018)

“The 2015 Chardonnay is super-polished, refined and delicate. Even though the wine was sulfured about a month before this tasting, the flavors are remarkably pure. On the palate, the 2015 feels a bit linear, but that is almost certainly attributable to the sulfur. Candied lemon peel, white flowers and mint grace the exquisite, nuanced finish. John Kongsgaard adds that the fermentations were very slow in 2015 for this wine. (AG)” (12/2016)

“Nicely oaky and very rich, casting a smoky, toasty aura. Turns to butterscotch flavors that hang with you through the finish. An exceptional example of this style. *Highly Recommended* (JL)” (07/2018)