2008 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard
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Note di degustazione
Not quite as bright ruby in color as the 2007 but very dark at the core. Knockout nose combines blueberry, blackberry, flowers, caraway seed and pungent, high-pitched Moroccan spices, complemented by a subtle note of truffley forest floor. Offers a stunning combination of energy and thickness on the palate, with almost shockingly youthful flavors of dark berries and flowers dominating. Finishes with outstanding energy and length. This should be long-lived. "The 2008 rose up a year ago to out-energize the 2007," was the way Kongsgaard put it, noting that the quality and potential longevity of this wine was not apparent until a year ago.
Punteggi della critica
Punteggio medio
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Altre recensioni e punteggi
More voluptuous and round than either the '07 or '09, the 2008 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard delivers a full throttle, sexy profile with decadent black fruits, mint, roasted meats, and chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied, seamless, pure, and downright hedonistic, yet perfectly balanced and not heavy in the least, this gorgeous Syrah should be enjoyed over the coming 8 to 10 years.
Good full ruby-red. Sappy aromas of dark berries, black cherry and mocha; slightly liqueur-like. A concentrated fruit bomb in the mouth, with a compelling sweetness to its dark plum, black raspberry, spice and licorice flavors. Can't quite match the 2009 for mineral-driven complexity, but firm acidity gives shape to this mouthfilling syrah. This should be perfect at about age seven.
The 2008 Syrah from a special, 3-acre parcel of the Hudson Vineyard planted in volcanic soils reveals abundant steak tartare/meaty notes intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, bacon, black currants, plums and Asian spices. This full-bodied, complex Syrah should be consumed over the next 7-8 years. Part viticultural evangelist, part wine wizard and part musical composer, John Kongsgaard remains one of the more singular personalities and interesting wine producers of Napa Valley. I have written many times about his “death and resurrection” theory of winemaking, and whether one agrees or disagrees with him is irrelevant. The proof is in vino veritas, and that’s exactly what he does year in and year out. With the exception of his Syrah from the Hudson Vineyard and his Cabernet Sauvignon from David Abreu’s vineyards in St. Helena, everything is produced from the estate vineyard, a 6-acre parcel high in the mountains off Coombsville Road. For a number of years, Kongsgaard has produced a small quantity (200 cases) of a Chardonnay called The Judge (an homage to his father). Although it is aged in 100% new oak for at least 20 months, it reveals no evidence of wood. Like the regular Chardonnay, The Judge is made from an Old Wente clone of Chardonnay that is believed to have come from cuttings of the Corton-Charlemagne holdings of Louis Latour at least fifty years ago. Kongsgaard’s touch with Bordeaux varietals is not as magical as it is with Chardonnay and Syrah. Nevertheless, these are still outstanding efforts, and I think his 2009 Proprietary Red will match his finest vintage to date, the 2007. Fax (707) 226-2936