2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Good bright, pale yellow. Lovely lift and complexity to the aromas of lemon, almond, marzipan, stone fruits and flowers, with intriguing crushed rock and fruit pit nuances. Densely packed and generous on the palate, showing much more flesh and generosity of texture today than the young 2006. But there's also superb grip to the flavors of lemon drop, crushed rock, minerals and spices. This has put on weight since I tasted it a year ago from barrel.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A stunning effort, the 2005 Chardonnay boasts copious notes of floral, honeysuckle, and orange oil offered in a full-bodied white. It possesses terrific acidity, a striking terroir-based minerality, and beautiful delineation as well as purity. This is a large-scaled yet remarkably fresh wine with the balance and grace of a world-class ballerina. Enjoy it over the next decade. John Kongsgaard’s Chardonnays come from the family’s 9-acre, high elevation, cool climate, Coombsville vineyard in southern Napa. His Syrah’s emerge from the Hudson Vineyard, a special block that was planted to his specifications. Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay (94), 2004 Chardonnay The Judge (98), 2004 Syrah Hudson Vineyard (90). Fax (707) 963-4512
(from the same Napa vineyard from which the Judge is made, plus Hyde and Hudson fruit) Pale yellow. Lemon drop, pineapple and crushed stone aromas lifted by herbal and floral highlights. Juicy, nervy and bright, with vibrant acids and firm minerality giving this unusual sappiness for Napa chardonnay. The lemon drop and pineapple fruit elements carry through in the mouth. The very long, vibrant finish comes across as cool and a bit minty, with some tannins contributing to an impression of grip. This will be bottled in July.