Kongsgaard

From the record

KONGSGAARD is documented in the Cartelier archive as served at Protégé in Palo Alto, CA. It appears on the menu of April 15, 2021, one of 6 items served that wine. As printed, the kitchen describes it: After 20 years of winemaking in the Napa Valley, John Kongsgaard launched his own label in 1996. The 2004 Food & Wine Magazine, "Winemaker of the Year," has since become one of the most influential and revered winemakers in country. The Fimasaurus is a personal ‘homage’ to John’s very close friend, Russian pianist Yefim "Fima" Bronfman. This wine is extremely rare, with only 100 cases produced from a blend of co-fermented Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown on a rocky hilltop vineyard on Atlas Peak. Like Fima himself, the wine is powerful and intense, showing loads of blackcurrants, plums, menthol, dark chocolate, and baking spice. IDEAL DRINKING WINDOW: 2021-2030 PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS: A “Right Bank” Bordeaux-style blend which offers a softer tannin profile and richer mid-palate, this wine matches with a wide variety of meats including squab, lamb, and leaner cuts of beef. Try it with Beef Bourguignon! DECANT: 1-2 hours in advance STEMWARE: Large Bordeaux glasses, ideally Zalto Denk’Art Bordeaux or Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru IDEAL SERVICE TEMPERATURE: 65°F. Every appearance below preserves the menu exactly as published — source, hash, and date — so this dish can be read as it stood on any documented evening.