2018 Kongsgaard Cabernet Sauvignon
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2026 - 2050 |
In stock
6 items available
Description
Kongsgaard Wine is a family-owned business in Napa Valley, California. It was founded in the late 1970s by John and Maggy Kongsgaard (who unfortunately lost her battle with Cancer in 2020). John Kongsgaard is a renowned winemaker and viticulturist known for his dedication to producing high-quality wines in small batches.
California native John Kongsgaard began his wine career in the 1970s. He gained experience at well-known wineries, including Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley. In 1975, John and Maggy Kongsgaard purchased a property in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District. This laid the foundation for their own winemaking venture. Kongsgaard Wine gained early recognition for its Chardonnay. John Kongsgaard took a unique approach to Chardonnay production, emphasizing minimal intervention, fermentation in small French oak barrels and the use of indigenous yeasts. This approach allowed the wines to express the nuances of the vineyard and varietal characteristics. Over the years, Kongsgaard Wine continued to refine its winemaking techniques and expand its portfolio. The winery was recognized for its limited production Chardonnay and later for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Both varieties reflected the Kongsgaards' commitment to showcasing the best of Napa Valley terroir. John Kongsgaard is an advocate of sustainable and organic farming practices. The winery attaches importance to cultivating the land in a way that respects the environment and allows the vines to flourish naturally.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Kongsgaard has a deep garnet purple color. It is extremely aromatic and gives aromas of cassis, cherry, blackcurrant, plum plus nuances of violet, cinnamon and wood. The taste is medium to full and delivers mouth-filling, black fruit with a firm backbone of ripe tannins and just enough freshness, with a long and spicy aftertaste.
FACT : The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will immediately see the possible discount if you choose Pickup in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Icons | Icon USA |
| Winery | Kongsgaard |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2050 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP (93-95)
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
A barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features a deep garnet-purple, singing on the nose of freshly crushed black cherries, black berry pie and warm plums over a core of cassis and pencil lead plus nuances of violets, cinnamon stick and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating, crunchy black fruit with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.
“There is a trade-off,” Alex Kongsgaard told me when I asked he and his father, John, about the benefits of their extended barrel age regime for the Chardonnays. “With 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, there’s 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.” Robert Parker once called Kongsgaard’s technique “The Death & The Resurrection.” Clearly, it works—these classically forged Chardonnays are consistently jaw-droppingly incredible. The 2017s and 2018s couldn’t get more different in terms of styles, but The Judge vineyard’s signature clearly, impactfully, beautifully shines through. I can’t recommend these wines highly enough.
Published: Nov 27, 2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(90-93)
Drinking Window
2023 - 2038
From: 2017 & 2018 Napa Valley In Depth (Jan 2020)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, pungent and savory. Black olives, grilled herbs, blackberry jam, cloves, iron and leather as well as intense barbeque smoke give the broad 2018 a wild, really exotic character. If I had tasted it blind, I would have pegged it as Syrah. The is an undeniably wild and unusual wine; I am not really sure what to make of it at this stage. It is also a rare vintage that is pure 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
- By Antonio Galloni on September 2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Kongsgaard Wine is a family-owned business in Napa Valley, California. It was founded in the late 1970s by John and Maggy Kongsgaard. John Kongsgaard is a renowned winemaker and viticulturist known for his dedication to producing high-quality wines in small batches.
Kongsgaard Winery: A family-driven icon from California
Kongsgaard is one of the best-kept secrets of Napa Valley. This small-scale, family-run winery is known for its profound, expressive wines that stay true to classic European styles, particularly those from Burgundy and the Rhône. Founded by John Kongsgaard, former winemaker at Newton and Arietta, the estate has quickly developed into a true cult label among wine enthusiasts.
The vineyards are located in the cooler, higher-altitude areas of Napa, including the famed Atlas Peak. Here, the combination of elevation, poor soils, and sea breezes results in slow ripening and a perfect balance between power and elegance.
Burgundian precision in American soil
What sets Kongsgaard apart is its uncompromising approach in both vineyard and cellar. Yields are deliberately kept low to ensure concentration and finesse. In the cellar, full fermentation takes place in oak, including malolactic fermentation, using only native yeasts. The result? Wines with great texture, complexity, and an almost ethereal balance.
The most renowned wine of the estate is undoubtedly the Kongsgaard Chardonnay, often described as one of the most impressive white wines in America. Additionally, the Syrah and the Bordeaux-style blend The Judge are examples of the power and depth the estate can achieve, without ever losing sight of elegance.
Production of Kongsgaard wines
Production at Kongsgaard is extremely limited. Only a few thousand bottles are produced each year, which limits availability worldwide. This enhances the cult status of the estate and makes obtaining a bottle a true discovery. At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a selection of these rare gems for the true connoisseur.
Order Kongsgaard wines at Grandcruwijnen
Kongsgaard is a winery for those who seek depth, finesse, and authenticity. These wines have aging potential and are ideally suited for special occasions or refined food pairings. Think of rich fish dishes, poultry in creamy sauces, or even a tournedos Rossini.
Curious about these unique wines from Napa Valley? Order them easily online at Grandcruwijnen or pick up your order at our pickup point in Dordrecht.
Kongsgaard Wine is a family-owned business in Napa Valley, California. It was founded in the late 1970s by John and Maggy Kongsgaard (who unfortunately lost her battle with Cancer in 2020). John Kongsgaard is a renowned winemaker and viticulturist known for his dedication to producing high-quality wines in small batches.
California native John Kongsgaard began his wine career in the 1970s. He gained experience at well-known wineries, including Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley. In 1975, John and Maggy Kongsgaard purchased a property in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District. This laid the foundation for their own winemaking venture. Kongsgaard Wine gained early recognition for its Chardonnay. John Kongsgaard took a unique approach to Chardonnay production, emphasizing minimal intervention, fermentation in small French oak barrels and the use of indigenous yeasts. This approach allowed the wines to express the nuances of the vineyard and varietal characteristics. Over the years, Kongsgaard Wine continued to refine its winemaking techniques and expand its portfolio. The winery was recognized for its limited production Chardonnay and later for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Both varieties reflected the Kongsgaards' commitment to showcasing the best of Napa Valley terroir. John Kongsgaard is an advocate of sustainable and organic farming practices. The winery attaches importance to cultivating the land in a way that respects the environment and allows the vines to flourish naturally.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Kongsgaard has a deep garnet purple color. It is extremely aromatic and gives aromas of cassis, cherry, blackcurrant, plum plus nuances of violet, cinnamon and wood. The taste is medium to full and delivers mouth-filling, black fruit with a firm backbone of ripe tannins and just enough freshness, with a long and spicy aftertaste.
FACT : The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will immediately see the possible discount if you choose Pickup in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Icons | Icon USA |
| Winery | Kongsgaard |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2050 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP (93-95)
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
A barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features a deep garnet-purple, singing on the nose of freshly crushed black cherries, black berry pie and warm plums over a core of cassis and pencil lead plus nuances of violets, cinnamon stick and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating, crunchy black fruit with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.
“There is a trade-off,” Alex Kongsgaard told me when I asked he and his father, John, about the benefits of their extended barrel age regime for the Chardonnays. “With 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, there’s 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.” Robert Parker once called Kongsgaard’s technique “The Death & The Resurrection.” Clearly, it works—these classically forged Chardonnays are consistently jaw-droppingly incredible. The 2017s and 2018s couldn’t get more different in terms of styles, but The Judge vineyard’s signature clearly, impactfully, beautifully shines through. I can’t recommend these wines highly enough.
Published: Nov 27, 2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(90-93)
Drinking Window
2023 - 2038
From: 2017 & 2018 Napa Valley In Depth (Jan 2020)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, pungent and savory. Black olives, grilled herbs, blackberry jam, cloves, iron and leather as well as intense barbeque smoke give the broad 2018 a wild, really exotic character. If I had tasted it blind, I would have pegged it as Syrah. The is an undeniably wild and unusual wine; I am not really sure what to make of it at this stage. It is also a rare vintage that is pure 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
- By Antonio Galloni on September 2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Kongsgaard Wine is a family-owned business in Napa Valley, California. It was founded in the late 1970s by John and Maggy Kongsgaard. John Kongsgaard is a renowned winemaker and viticulturist known for his dedication to producing high-quality wines in small batches.
Kongsgaard Winery: A family-driven icon from California
Kongsgaard is one of the best-kept secrets of Napa Valley. This small-scale, family-run winery is known for its profound, expressive wines that stay true to classic European styles, particularly those from Burgundy and the Rhône. Founded by John Kongsgaard, former winemaker at Newton and Arietta, the estate has quickly developed into a true cult label among wine enthusiasts.
The vineyards are located in the cooler, higher-altitude areas of Napa, including the famed Atlas Peak. Here, the combination of elevation, poor soils, and sea breezes results in slow ripening and a perfect balance between power and elegance.
Burgundian precision in American soil
What sets Kongsgaard apart is its uncompromising approach in both vineyard and cellar. Yields are deliberately kept low to ensure concentration and finesse. In the cellar, full fermentation takes place in oak, including malolactic fermentation, using only native yeasts. The result? Wines with great texture, complexity, and an almost ethereal balance.
The most renowned wine of the estate is undoubtedly the Kongsgaard Chardonnay, often described as one of the most impressive white wines in America. Additionally, the Syrah and the Bordeaux-style blend The Judge are examples of the power and depth the estate can achieve, without ever losing sight of elegance.
Production of Kongsgaard wines
Production at Kongsgaard is extremely limited. Only a few thousand bottles are produced each year, which limits availability worldwide. This enhances the cult status of the estate and makes obtaining a bottle a true discovery. At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a selection of these rare gems for the true connoisseur.
Order Kongsgaard wines at Grandcruwijnen
Kongsgaard is a winery for those who seek depth, finesse, and authenticity. These wines have aging potential and are ideally suited for special occasions or refined food pairings. Think of rich fish dishes, poultry in creamy sauces, or even a tournedos Rossini.
Curious about these unique wines from Napa Valley? Order them easily online at Grandcruwijnen or pick up your order at our pickup point in Dordrecht.