2018 Kongsgaard Kings Farm Red

2018 Kongsgaard Kings Farm Red is the rare, quietly spoken sibling of Kongsgaard’s iconic Napa reds – produced only in select vintages and always in very small quantities. This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend captures the elegance and structure of great Bordeaux, translated through the power and purity of Napa Valley fruit. With four years of patient aging split between barrel and bottle, it arrives in your glass already harmoniously composed and ready to enjoy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Kings Farm Red shows a deep, saturated ruby core with a subtle garnet rim, hinting at its early evolution. The nose unfolds slowly and gracefully: classic cassis and blackcurrant are layered with ripe blueberry, cedar wood, graphite, pencil shavings and a touch of dried violet. With air, notes of tobacco leaf, cocoa nib and a faint, savory spice add complexity. On the palate, the wine is polished and medium to full-bodied, offering both intensity and finesse. Ripe black and blue fruits are framed by fine-grained, silky tannins that reflect its two years in barrel and further time in bottle. There is a cool, lifted freshness through the mid-palate, with flavors of cassis, plum, forest floor, cedar and a hint of mocha carrying into a long, measured finish. Already beautifully resolved and approachable, it should continue to drink well over the next 8–10 years, gaining additional tertiary nuances of leather, cigar box and truffle with careful cellaring.

Production
The 2018 Kings Farm Red is sourced from vineyards high on the western edge of Napa Valley above Oakville, where rocky, well-drained soils, cooler night-time temperatures and excellent exposure combine to give small, concentrated berries with naturally balanced acidity. True to the Kongsgaard philosophy, the fruit is farmed with a strong emphasis on sustainability and organic principles, allowing the vines to express their site with minimal interference. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, sorted rigorously, and fermented using native yeasts to preserve authenticity of character. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is then aged for around two years in small French oak barrels, a portion of which is new, before resting a further two years in bottle to knit the tannins and integrate the oak, resulting in a seamless, refined Napa red.

Food & Serving
This refined yet structured red is an excellent partner to grilled or roasted meats such as ribeye steak, lamb chops, veal tenderloin or slow-braised short ribs. It also works beautifully with richer poultry dishes like duck breast, game birds, and mushroom-based risottos or truffle pasta that echo its earthy, savory notes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decanting for 45–60 minutes before serving will help the wine open up aromatically, especially in its youth, though it can be enjoyed straight from the bottle with a bit of time in the glass.

Producer
Kongsgaard is a small, family-owned winery in Napa Valley founded in the late 1970s by John and Maggy Kongsgaard, pioneers of low-intervention, terroir-focused winemaking in California. From their Oak Knoll District estate, John Kongsgaard built an international reputation first for his profound, age-worthy Chardonnay, crafted through native fermentations and long aging in French oak, and later for his distinctive, powerful yet nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are produced in tiny quantities and have become benchmarks for soulful, artisanal Napa Valley wine. A vocal advocate for sustainable and organic farming, Kongsgaard has helped shape the region’s modern identity, proving that Napa’s grandeur can be expressed with restraint, respect for the land and meticulous attention to detail in both vineyard and cellar.

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