| Score: |
98 RP.
"Kongsgaard also makes an amazing Syrah from a clone he obviously knows a lot about, because it does remind one of a great Côte-Rôtie such as Guigal’s La Landonne. Both the 2014 and 2013 are just loaded with notes of beef blood, grilled steak, raw beef, chocolate, asphalt, truffle and black olive tapenade. The 2013 has even more body and richness, and is a dead ringer for a great Côte-Rôtie from Guigal, especially one with no Viognier in it. It is pure meat, blood and black fruits. Drink it over the next 15-20 years, although I found it irresistible when I tasted it. One of the great wine producers in Napa Valley, John Kongsgaard first worked at Newton winery, where he had been taught well by the world guru in winemaking, Michel Rolland. When he went out on his own, he developed a strong relationship with the Hudson family and now produces fruit from specially planted clones in the Hudson Vineyard, while also maintaining his own estate on Atlas Peak in Coombsville. All of his wines are unfined, unfiltered, singular in style, and often some of the most expressive and remarkable wines in Napa Valley. Talking to John Kongsgaard is akin to talking to some medieval wizard or mystic, but it all makes sense." Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate #222, Dec 2015 |