Kongsgaard King's Farm Red 2018

Kongsgaard King's Farm Red 2018 is the “insider” way to experience one of Napa Valley’s most revered artisan producers at a more approachable price point. Sourced from premium Napa Valley vineyards and crafted by John Kongsgaard’s small team, this red delivers the depth and character the estate is known for, wrapped in a slightly more open-knit, early-drinking style. King’s Farm is Kongsgaard’s second label, but it carries the same meticulous attention to detail, low yields, and old-world sensibility that have made the main estate wines cult favorites among collectors.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 King's Farm Red shows a deep, saturated ruby color with a youthful purple rim, signaling both concentration and freshness. The nose opens gradually, revealing layers of ripe blackcurrants, black cherries, and plum, supported by notes of graphite, tobacco leaf, cedar, and a hint of baking spice and cocoa from well-judged oak. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied, with polished tannins and a vibrant spine of acidity that keeps the dark fruit lively rather than heavy. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry unfold alongside savory nuances of dried herbs, pencil shavings, and a touch of crushed violets, giving it a distinctly Napa-meets-Bordeaux feel. The finish is long and focused, with fine tannins that suggest several more years of positive evolution. While already approachable with a brief decant, the 2018 has the structure to age gracefully for 8–12 years from vintage in good cellaring conditions.

Production
King's Farm Red 2018 is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon–based, sourced from select Napa Valley sites chosen for their well-drained gravelly and volcanic soils and cooler exposures that promote slow, even ripening. Yields are kept deliberately low, and harvesting is done by hand, often in multiple passes, to ensure only perfectly ripe clusters reach the winery. In the cellar, the grapes are carefully sorted, then fermented in small lots with gentle extraction to preserve finesse over power. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (a portion new, the rest seasoned) for extended maturation, allowing the tannins to soften and the aromatic complexity to build while maintaining the clarity of fruit that defines Kongsgaard’s style.

Food & Serving
This Napa red pairs beautifully with richly flavored dishes such as grilled ribeye, roast lamb with rosemary, braised short ribs, or a classic beef burger with aged cheddar. It also works well with hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda, and with mushroom-based dishes that echo its earthy, savory notes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both fruit and structure. A decant of 45–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to let the aromatics fully unfurl and the tannins relax.

Producer
John Kongsgaard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected artisan winemakers, known for his low-intervention, European-influenced approach and his uncompromising standards in the vineyard and cellar. Based in the hills above Napa, the Kongsgaard estate has gained a cult following for its powerful yet nuanced wines that unite old-world restraint with new-world intensity. King’s Farm is the more accessible sibling to the flagship bottlings, created to showcase the same philosophy of low yields, careful handwork, and minimal interference, but in a style meant for earlier enjoyment. Kongsgaard’s reputation as a benchmark producer in Napa has been cemented by consistently high critical praise and the ongoing demand for his limited-production wines worldwide.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.