Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley The Judge 2013

100 points Robert Parker: "Of course, it’s hard to find any, but there are usually about eight to 15 barrels of his estate Chardonnay from Coombsville called “The Judge” in honor of his father. From old Wente clones originally planted in 1975, yields are rarely in excess of one ton of fruit per acre, which no doubt accounts for its extraordinary intensity and richness. The 2013 Chardonnay The Judge is perfect, and certainly one of the greatest Chardonnays I have ever tasted. Keeping in mind that Kongsgaard is no youngster at this game (2015 was his 41st vintage making wine), his 2013 The Judge, from the white volcanic soil in Coombsville called tufa, is an amazing wine of great intensity, power, glory, elegance, texture, density and richness. The wine offers up loads of tangerine oil, caramelized citrus, honeysuckle, white peach, apricots, and wet stones. It seems to be a smorgasbord of aromas and flavors that just keep opening as the wine sits in the mouth. This is an amazing effort and one of the greatest Chardonnays ever made in California. (Dec 2015)"

96+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Powerful and broad on the palate, the 2013 Chardonnay The Judge is another wine that is only showing the barest hints of its potential. Lemon oil, pastry, white pepper, flowers and chamomile open up in the glass, but only with great reluctance. The Judge is usually a bit more overt but like the 2014, the 2013 appears to be a wine that will be slow to offer up the full breadth of its potential. (Oct 2015)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Some would say there's enough new toasty oak here for two vintages, but if you enjoy the enhancement oak adds to Chardonnay this means double the pleasure. Rich apricot, fig, honeydew and citrus notes join in the chorus. Long and full. Drink now through 2021. 300 cases made. (6/30/16)"

Producer notes: "The Judge 2013 Napa Valley is sublime and super-concentrated. It is a magnificent example of what comes from our historic family land with its famously difficult growing conditions, which limit the yield to about one ton per acre. This nectar has been recognized from the first vintage in 2002 as something unique in the world. It is an expression of the essence of Chardonnay. 330 cases produced."