1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
The Wines of John Kongsgaard
John Kongsgaard is a fifth-generation resident of Napa Valley and made his name as the winemaker who put Newton Vineyards on the map. In 1996, after years of making wine for others and consulting, Kongsgaard set out on his own. His aim is to produce "only what he can make with his own hands", and his approach is simple: wine should be produced naturally and with minimal intervention. His wines ferment using only natural yeasts. They are neither fined nor filtered and are clarified only by gravity during racking. In addition to Kongsgaard wines, Arietta, a joint venture between Kongsgaard and Fritz Hatton, produces the popular and difficult to find Variation I (a blend of Merlot and Syrah) and Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards which evokes Cheval Blanc with its blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In two vintages only ('96 and '97), Kongsgaard branched out again, making approximately 400 cases of superb Chardonnay from Gil and Lucy Lamphere's vineyard atop Diamond Mountain.
Kongsgaard Chardonnay--Vintage 1996
Napa Valley
Both lots in original cartons
"The 1996 Chardonnay starts off as a relatively tight, light gold green-colored wine with hints of minerals, butterscotch, and lemony/honeysuckle-like fruit. Thirty minutes later it is still developing, expanding in flavor, and offering bold, rich, concentrated yet lively and vibrant aromas and flavors. It is a big, intense, ageworthy Chardonnay that should last for another five years." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, #126 (Jan 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot
John Kongsgaard is a fifth-generation resident of Napa Valley and made his name as the winemaker who put Newton Vineyards on the map. In 1996, after years of making wine for others and consulting, Kongsgaard set out on his own. His aim is to produce "only what he can make with his own hands", and his approach is simple: wine should be produced naturally and with minimal intervention. His wines ferment using only natural yeasts. They are neither fined nor filtered and are clarified only by gravity during racking. In addition to Kongsgaard wines, Arietta, a joint venture between Kongsgaard and Fritz Hatton, produces the popular and difficult to find Variation I (a blend of Merlot and Syrah) and Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards which evokes Cheval Blanc with its blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In two vintages only ('96 and '97), Kongsgaard branched out again, making approximately 400 cases of superb Chardonnay from Gil and Lucy Lamphere's vineyard atop Diamond Mountain.
Kongsgaard Chardonnay--Vintage 1996
Napa Valley
Both lots in original cartons
"The 1996 Chardonnay starts off as a relatively tight, light gold green-colored wine with hints of minerals, butterscotch, and lemony/honeysuckle-like fruit. Thirty minutes later it is still developing, expanding in flavor, and offering bold, rich, concentrated yet lively and vibrant aromas and flavors. It is a big, intense, ageworthy Chardonnay that should last for another five years." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, #126 (Jan 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot