Kongsgaard, The Judge Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Popped and poured. This is remarkably alive at this age. Focused, full bodied, with lush fruit but nicely balanced. This would be higher rated but the oak has become a little too present in old age and impacts the clarity and quality of fruit.

2010 vintage

Opened at Otto e Mezzo in HK. P&P and enjoyed. Unfortinately, this got crushed by the d'Auvenay and G-Max alongside it, and I suspect that this was already a little tired based on my experiences with younger vintages of Kongsgaard. Still a good white, with lovely notes of corn coming through and still decent concentration on the palate, but unfortunately got lost in the line-up against competition of a different class. Second time with this bottle and both times I …

2010 vintage

Opened at Otto e Mezzo in HK. P&P and enjoyed. First Judge, and a really good bottle. Table consensus was that this wasn't as rich as the usual Kongsgaard cuvee - a bit more lean and restrained whilst having more of an emphasis on minerality, sesame and greater depth on the palate. An absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay that feels more Burgundian than Californian, and was a revelation for all of us. Not past peak at all in my opinion - this …

2010 vintage

Popped and poured. Clearly in decline but holding together ok. Medium golden. Autumn apples, cashews and vanilla oak. Full bodied, nicely integrated, pretty sweet tasting, some interesting complexity.

2010 vintage

Heitz MV vs Dominus : Tasted double blind from half bottle. This showed very well and round, although the acidity and minerality could have been more pronounced on the palate to match the perfumed palate. Guessing blind and assuming we’re drinking Californian here, I thought this might be even a Central Cali blend with some Viognier in it. Still, this is a very good wine. 94pts. TN: Intense nose, with a superb flint and matchstick nose, round and harmonious, well …

2010 vintage

Complex flavors of pears, brioche, and peaches with a long finish.

2010 vintage

This is still quite good but very fully mature now and starting to decline. Apples and autumn leaves on the nose. The palate pretty with delicious orchard fruit and hazlenut. Nicely balanced and still energetic.

2010 vintage

Stunning, and gained a little further nuance with air (and the remaining reduction notes softened too). Clearly aged, but a grand dame in full splendor.

2010 vintage

Undrinkable sourness. Discarded after tasting. Not corked. Hoping it was just a bad bottle as I have more cellared, and not just way past prime. Will modify this note as further bottles of this vintage are opened.

2010 vintage

Popped and poured. Not quite hitting the highs this was hitting a couple years ago. Fully mature this is starting to decline. Ripe apple, peach, minerals and a little toast come through. Full bodied, elegant with terrific poise. Still very good but drink up.

2010 vintage

Popped and poured. As always the Judge delivers. Still fairly youthful in an early maturity phase. Lemon rind, peach, crushed rocks and pastry come through in a wine which display rich, concentrated fruit but at the same time is well balanced and structure with good acidity. Definitely has the mark of a California chardonnay (as opposed to white burgundy) but it’s a really well made on

2010 vintage

Popped and poured. This is so good right now. Nice sophisticated nose of lemon oil, white flowers and some tropical notes. The wine is well balanced, medium to full bodied with a nice acidic backbone. Layers of flavor of lemon, tropical fruit, crushed rocks and cream come through rolling into a satisfying finish. I would drink this now but it should live on for another few years easily.

2010 vintage

Objectively there’s no doubt this is high class California Chardonnay at peak. Excellent concentration, lively acids, bright and focused. There’s a near overwhelming streak of pineapple that’s just too much for me though and a comparison glass of Jadot Corton Charlemagne from the same vintage cemented to me why I greatly prefer Burgundy. Yet I can easily understand the attraction to others of California Chardonnay who appreciate its boldness and power.

2010 vintage

Really great half bottle. Initially complex nose of Sesame Oil, ginger and asian spices that opened up to a hint of classic buttered popcorn but definitely not an over-buttered chardonnay.

2010 vintage

Cult chard tasted alongside a 2010 Aubert Lauren Chard....this one lost by a unanimous vote (and it wasn't even a blind vote either). I think everyone WANTED the Judge to win, but there was nothing to Judge here. At least for THIS COMPARISON, in 2018, the Aubert was the winner. BUT, this Judge chard did have more acidity up front than the Aubert, and IMO this wine has more aging potential than the 2010 Lauren Chard, which was pretty much …

2010 vintage

Light yellow. Brooding lemon curd and apricot fruit. Some nutty toasted almond and butterscotch on finish. Still pretty fresh, definitely a unique style that borders on oxidative.

2010 vintage

A really eye opening experience for me. Big fruit, lot of depths, nice oak integration, but man did it have the acid and structure to actually hold it all together.

2010 vintage

Now this is clearly superior to the non-Judge version in 2010. The deeper color announces a wine more concentrated and seemingly less oaky because of its greater depth and intensity. The fruit is more in the dark orange/yellow spectrum, as in apricot and date. It’s delicious but a little bit goes a long way. The anti-Burgundy style of California Chardonnay and a good match for the fruity bold cuisine at Café Maxx.

2010 vintage

The definition of California chardonnay! Big round, oak and vanillin, all perfectly executed and balanced. This just goes on and on, so hard to put down. Toasty almonds with a hint of orange zest. Enough acidity to keep it lively.

2010 vintage

Intense, powerful, concentrated style of Chardonnay, with a fleshy, rich, sweet, citrus, honeysuckle, candied lemon peel, vanilla and green apple character. There is length and character here, but it is in a unique style, so everyone is not going to like this.

2010 vintage

Sweet honeysuckle aromas. Flavors are quite balanced. Flavors of honey, brown sugar and minerals. Long lasting flavor.

2010 vintage

nose - butter, cream, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla mouth - full bodied, smoky, rich, creamy, big white wine, richness over fruit

2010 vintage

Good but not great. A bit alcoholic on the finish.

2010 vintage

Guessed chard. Lemon peel, bright acidity, well balanced. Winner of Flight 1.

2010 vintage

Send-off in Style (Bourbon Steak, DC) : Have drank a lot of Chard since the last bottle of this wine, and lots of White Burg especially. Score coming down a bit in context of those Chards. This is still very good, lemon custard, pear, vanilla, but I pick out much more oak on it this time. Definitely CA Chard.

2010 vintage

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Kongsgaard, The Judge Chardonnay, Napa Valley

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