Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2022 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is typically a blend of Hyde, Hudson, Arcadia and a few others. In 2022, Hudson was not in the blend. Dried lemon peel, tangerine oil, hazelnut and chamomile unfurl in the glass. The drought conditions of the year produced a wine of considerable intensity. Its weight and viscous intensity make it a sort of mini-Judge. The 2022 is very dense and phenolic.

Behold Kongsgaard Syrah 2018, one of Napa Valley's majestic treasures. From legendary winemaker John Kongsgaard, this remarkable wine delivers an ambrosial experience worthy of utterance among the finest in the world. Kongsgaard, renowned for his minimalist intervention approach, allows nature to take centre stage in the crafting process. This Syrah is grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soils of the Kongsgaard family's vineyard in the Atlas Peak AVA region, adding uniqueness to each bottle.

The Kongsgaard Syrah 2018 is an arresting amalgamation of complex flavour profiles, providing perfect integration of smoked meats, black fruit, and finely layered spice. Its powerful, voluptuous character is balanced by an elegant tannin structure and a lingering finish, promising a magnificent ageing potential. Seamlessly blending power and finesse, this wine easily justifies its esteem among connoisseurs. A celebration of the Kongsgaard's dedication to unadulterated expression of terroir, the Kongsgaard Syrah 2018 is exceptional and not to be missed by lovers of indulgent and expressive wines.

The Kongsgaard Syrah 2019 hails from the picturesque terrains of Napa Valley, California, a land renowned for world-class wines. The Kongsgaard family is famous for their meticulously crafted, limited-production wines, and this vintage is no exception.

Employing traditional winemaking methods, the Syrah grapes used in this acclaimed red are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The rich purple hue of the Kongsgaard Syrah 2019 preludes its complex and heady aroma; dense with the scent of dark fruits and interlaced with hints of smoked meat and pepper.

On the palate, it presents layers of lush blackberries, rich dried fruit and exotic spices, underlined by finely grained tannins. It culminates in a long finish, providing a remarkable sensory experience that highlights the unique terroir of the Kongsgaard estate.

The Kongsgaard Syrah 2019 is a testament to the Kongsgaard family's commitment to excellence, reflecting their mastery and passion for winemaking.

This Syrah comes from a 2+ acre vineyard in Carneros and has been a part of the brand since its inception in 1996.

Vinous (97)

The 2021 Grande Cuvée TBA No. 34 Nouvelle Vague Kollektion is a blend of 30% Chardonnay, fermented in new barriques and 70% Welschriesling, fermented in new 1,000-liter barrels. The nose smells uncannily of caramel popcorn. It's toasty, rounded and smooth, with a distant sense of lemon oil. The palate adds fruit to the equation: a note of golden apricot preserved in syrup flows and flows. This has a really pure essence of fruit and toastiness with absolute precision.

James Suckling (98)

A fabulously concentrated and beautifully balanced TBA, this is like diving into a fjord of tropical fruit (both fresh and dried), the vibrant acidity and salty minerality exactly counterbalancing the lushness. Very long, creamy and complete finish. A truly grand cuvee of 60% welschriesling and 40% chardonnay. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator (98)

A profound wine of great depth and complexity. Its detailed flavors range from citrus and ginger to whole grain bread and woodsy richness, with accents of honey and nuts. Retains its focus thanks to a vibrant structure, all the time carrying its weight with authority and grace. Fine, smoky finish. Drink now through 2020. 15017000 cases imported.

Wine Spectator (98)

A profound wine of great depth and complexity. Its detailed flavors range from citrus and ginger to whole grain bread and woodsy richness, with accents of honey and nuts. Retains its focus thanks to a vibrant structure, all the time carrying its weight with authority and grace. Fine, smoky finish. Drink now through 2020. 15017000 cases imported.

Wine Spectator (98)

A very youthful '95. Delicate. Intense aromas of ginger, citrus, candied berry and multigrain bread turn to honey, roasted almonds and graphite on the palate. It's all underscored by a precise structure and creamy texture. Its structure keeps it persistent through the long finish. A picture of precision and intensity. Drink now through 2025. 1,700 cases imported. -BS

Vinous (99+)

Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value.

Vinous (99+)

Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value.

Wine Spectator (98)

This harmonious Champagne offers luxurious texture and powerful, focused acidity, showing aromatic accents of spring blossom, crushed thyme and chai, with rich notes of lemon meringue, hazelnut, black currant and fresh porcini mushroom. The full package. Impressive. Drink now through 2028.

Wine Spectator (98)

This harmonious Champagne offers luxurious texture and powerful, focused acidity, showing aromatic accents of spring blossom, crushed thyme and chai, with rich notes of lemon meringue, hazelnut, black currant and fresh porcini mushroom. The full package. Impressive. Drink now through 2028.