John Kongsgaard produces wines of formidable weight and concentration. The approach is one of minimal intervention in the cellar allied to wild yeast fermentation and the wines are neither fined nor filtered. The Chardonnay is a very impressive example of the variety, combining the best subtle elements of great Burgundy with a richly textured, almost explosive dose of honeyed Napa fruit. The finish is very long and complex. A small volume super premium example, The Judge, is also now released. While the Chardonnay is not exactly made in abundance (around 1,500 cases), there is only a tiny amount of two Rhône styles – a ViognierRoussanne blend, Viorous, rich in texture with a fine, intense nutty complexity, and a very powerful and impressive Syrah produced from Carneros fruit. This will comfortably stand alongside the finest examples of the variety from the northern Rhône and is of undoubted super ★★★★★ quality. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a blend of the two, Fimasaurus are also released under the Kongsgaard label. A second label, Kings Farm, is available through the mailing list and these are more approachable styles, albeit made in small quantities.
