2016 Kongsgaard, The Judge Chardonnay, Napa Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 96+

The 2016 Chardonnay The Judge is very tightly wound at this stage, which is probably a very good sign for its long term aging prospects. Intense in its phenolics and overall structure, the 2016 is going to need a few years to be at its best. The Judge is often quite obviously opulent, but the 2016 is holding so much back today. Almond, sage, mint and dried flowers open up with time in the glass, but only very reluctantly. [Antonio Galloni, 14/12/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2031

Robert Parker 100

Bottled in June 2018, the 2016 Chardonnay The Judge opens a little reticently with slowly unfurling notions of lime leaves, yuzu and freshly squeezed lemons with notes of honeyed white peaches and creme brA lee followed by crushed rocks, lemongrass and praline plus a waft of peach blossoms. Full-bodied with fantastic richness and so many layers, the classic The Judge savoriness comes through in spades in the mid-palate with a seductively silken texture and epically long, mineral and spice-tinged finish. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 07/12/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2036