The 2007 Chardonnay The Judge probably will not eclipse the 2005 The Judge but it is loaded with potential. A liqueur of minerals subtle smoky hazelnuts and full-bodied pineapple orange blossom quince and mango flavors emerge from this stunning well-textured layered Chardonnay. Possessing great substance as well as finesse it should drink well for 5-8 years.(Not yet released)The idiosyncratic but brilliant producer of Chardonnay Roussanne/Viognier Syrah and more recently Cabernet Sauvignon John Kongsgaard and his low-tech artisinal winemaking style have had an enormous influence on many top northern California winemakers. It's always a treat to taste with him. All his wines are limited in quantity as the family's vineyard in Coombsville is only 9 acres so he draws fruit from special plots in the Hudson Vineyard for his Syrah and more recently from some of David Abreu's vineyards for his 350-case cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 Chardonnays were underperforming compared to my notes from last year. This trend is apparent in many producers' Chardonnays in this vintage. The exuberant fruit that was noticeable out of barrel seems to have become more reserved. Nevertheless these are still top-notch Chardonnays just not as brilliant as I first thought. Normally Kongsgaard's Chardonnays are better from bottle than from barrel. Kongsgaard employs no additives proteins or enzymes ferments his Syrah in pungeons with indigenous yeasts and does not sulphur the wine until long after malolactic is completed. In the huge Hudson Vineyard he has an unusual block of vines planted totally in volcanic soils and shale. This is the source for his Syrah one of the most provocative and individualistic Syrahs made in California