I received an e-mail early this morning announcing "The annual Kongsgaard Wine release begins today."  But when I try to log in to view my allocation I get "We're sorry, but there aren't any offers available for purchase at this time. If you believe that you have reached this message in error, please contact us at the winery."

Anyway, the offering will include:

2006 Rousanne/Viognier
2005 Syrah
2005 Chardonnay
2005 The Judge Chardonnay

Also, they are offering a cab for the first time.  "Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005, our inaugural Cabernet, is the result of a three-decade obsession with the clonal selections of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet is on the rockiest section of John’s family’s vineyard adjacent to The Judge Chardonnay. We have four selections of Cabernet from the great chateau vineyards of the Medoc. The resulting wine expresses those aromatic qualities that we love in our favorite Bordeaux: cedar, graphite and violets. The wine was fermented in 150 gallon open-top French oak barrels allowing us to meticulously extract the deep color and tannin by submerging the cap into the wine by hand during the fermentation and subsequent maceration. After five weeks in the small oak fermenters, the wine was barreled down in new French oak. Quarterly racking tamed the impressive tannin during the 22 months of barrel aging, forming a wine both luscious and powerful."

Interesting.  You don't often see cabernet planted next to chardonnay.

The e-mail did not include pricing.  I am now able to log in and see the allocation, so here are the prices:

2006 Rousanne/Viognier $75
2005 Syrah $150
2005 Chardonnay $75
2005 The Judge Chardonnay $175

2005 Cabernet $125

All prices are unchaged from last year.

Thanks.  I may buy a few bottles of the Judge again to have for tastings.  Otherwise, I am probably passing.

Randy,

How long do you feel before they start to fall apart.  Only have one '03 left.  Guess I should dig that out.

Thanks,

I haven't had any trouble ageing the Chards. I popped a 2001 a week or two ago and it was outstanding. The 2002 I had recently was very good, but not as good as the '01, but age wasn't the problem. Just don't think  it was as good a wine, but seemed like it had plenty of life left.  I will be buying some, as my Peter Michael allocations seem to be shrinking for no apparent reason, other than, perhaps, I keep passing on the reds due to price concerns.

A definite pass. I got plenty of high end Chards and recent reports on ebob and cellartracker of Kongsgaard 2002 falling apart make this an easy decision. The reds are simply overpriced. First release of the CS at $ 150?? Give me a break!

my 6 VioRous allocation got reduced to 2.  Heard it's happening with others too.  Guess the production was really small or people are buying up the VioRous.

I haven't seen any notes from anyone on the Cabernet, so ???  I've had the '03 and '04 Judge a few times and it's been great - but somewhat atypical.  Like the regular Chardonnay on steroids ... some of my tasting buddies didn't like it at all.  Must buy ?  Not to me, especially at that price, although you may want to try a Judge if you like the regular Chardonnay and your wallet permits.  The Syrah has been a pass for me the past few years, but a few bottles of the vio/rous and the Chardonnay have been a must buy.

Scott