Loading lot detailsâŚ
The December 2023 Auction: Part 2
Swipe left for previous ¡ Swipe right for next
1 / 2Lot 1205
Estimate: $180
This auction has ended. Bidding is closed.
Collection name
Reviews
96+WA
"The 2017 Chardonnay slips sensuously out of the glass with beguiling notions of crème brulee, orange blossoms and lemon curd over a core of apricot tart and pineapple upside down cake plus a waft of marzipan. The full-bodied palate is stacked with exotic fruit and citrus layers, structured by a satiny texture and bold freshness, finishing very, very long. Wow! âThere is a trade-off,â Alex Kongsgaard told me when I asked he and his father, John, about the benefits of their extended barrel age regime for the Chardonnays. âWith more time in barrel, the wine gains more complexity. But if you go too far, then you overwhelm the terroir. The place becomes less transparent. For us, thereâs a sweet spot. We like to have the fruit at the background. Our wine has enough inherent structure that it thrives on that. The terroir gives it the structure so that it can take more and more in terms of natural fermentation, long elevage, etc.â Robert Parker once called Kongsgaardâs technique âThe Death & The Resurrection.â Clearly, it worksâthese classically forged Chardonnays are consistently jaw-droppingly incredible. The 2017s and 2018s couldnât get more different in terms of styles, but The Judge vineyardâs signature clearly, impactfully, beautifully shines through. I canât recommend these wines highly enough."
Region
White
Country
Score
"The 2017 Chardonnay slips sensuously out of the glass with beguiling notions of crème brulee, orange blossoms and lemon curd over a core of apricot tart and pineapple upside down cake plus a waft of marzipan. The full-bodied palate is stacked with exotic fruit and citrus layers, structured by a satiny texture and bold freshness, finishing very, very long. Wow! âThere is a trade-off,â Alex Kongsgaard told me when I asked he and his father, John, about the benefits of their extended barrel age regime for the Chardonnays. âWith more time in barrel, the wine gains more complexity. But if you go too far, then you overwhelm the terroir. The place becomes less transparent. For us, thereâs a sweet spot. We like to have the fruit at the background. Our wine has enough inherent structure that it thrives on that. The terroir gives it the structure so that it can take more and more in terms of natural fermentation, long elevage, etc.â Robert Parker once called Kongsgaardâs technique âThe Death & The Resurrection.â Clearly, it worksâthese classically forged Chardonnays are consistently jaw-droppingly incredible. The 2017s and 2018s couldnât get more different in terms of styles, but The Judge vineyardâs signature clearly, impactfully, beautifully shines through. I canât recommend these wines highly enough."
Have questions?
The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
California's most prestigious wine region, celebrated worldwide for opulent, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. Diverse soils and mountain-to-valley-floor sites yield wines of remarkable ripeness, power and longevity.
California's flagship appellation for opulent, structured Cabernet Sauvignon of ripe fruit, plush tannins and cellar-worthy depth.
2017 in Napa Valley saw a wet winter, a scorching Labor Day heat spike and October wildfires; Cabernet picked before the fires is ripe and generous, but quality is variable across this challenging vintage.
The world's most versatile white grape, producing everything from steely Chablis to rich, oaked whites. Its neutrality makes it a mirror of terroir and winemaking, and the foundation of white Burgundy and Champagne.