Kongsgaard
Chardonnay
Napa Valley
2022

The producer

Tucked away in the heart of Napa Valley, Kongsgaard has earned a quiet reverence among wine lovers as one of the region’s most exceptional small-scale producers. Established by John Kongsgaard, the winery is guided by a philosophy that values restraint and a deep connection to the land, allowing each bottle to express the natural character of the vineyard. With a hands-off approach to winemaking, the estate lets the distinct voice of its terroir shine through, especially in its highly sought-after Chardonnay. This signature wine is known for its vibrant acidity, layered complexity, and striking minerality. Alongside it, limited releases of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon have achieved cult status, coveted for their depth and scarcity. Altogether, Kongsgaard’s wines stand as a testament to the heights Napa Valley can reach when nature is given the lead. 

The wine

Kongsgaard Chardonnay is crafted using a meticulous, low-intervention approach that emphasises the expression of Napa Valley's terroir. The grapes, sourced from esteemed vineyards like Hudson, Hyde, and Coombsville, are hand-harvested and gently pressed. The juice undergoes fermentation with native yeasts in French oak barrels, a process that can extend up to a year due to the cool temperatures of Kongsgaard's underground cave winery. This extended fermentation is followed by two years of barrel aging without racking or stirring, allowing the wine to develop complexity and stability naturally. The result is a Chardonnay that balances richness and minerality, showcasing notes of citrus, honey, and a vibrant, saline finish. 

We choose our wines based on a range of criteria (see how we choose our wines) of which critic scores is just one. Rather than simply highlight the best score to promote a wine, our average critic score is calculated from the scores provided by several respected wine critics, who we follow for specific regions. They do not represent all critic scores and, wherever possible, we try and give more weight to more recent reviews. Where appropriate we consider market-based scores like Global Wine Score or Wine Searcher Average scores.

As a rule, we look to offer wines that achieve a 92/100 average critic score or better and frankly a lot of very good wines simply don’t make the cut. As a high-end provider we want to reflect that positioning in the quality of wines we offer. Such wines are only a tiny fraction of those generally on offer in the market. We believe that an average score is a more conservative and representative approach, but it is still subjective and only offered as a guide to our customers, who will (and should) do their own research. We will add individual critic scores to our website in the future.