Kosta Browne was founded by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips and venture into winemaking. Eighteen years later, Kosta Browne is one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in all of California. At present time they produce three appellation Pinot Noirs, eight single vineyard Pinot Noirs and a Chardonnay.
The Koplen Vineyard lies in the Middle Reach of the Russian River appellation, just off Olivet Road. Slightly sloped, this young vineyard is showing bold fruit with complex flavors. Dennis Koplen farms the vineyard and Kosta Browne is the only producer to take fruit from this vineyard.
Dark crimson in color. 14.4% ABV. Ripe red fruits, clove and vanilla on the nose. Elegant and creamy with medium acidity. Black cherry, cola, cherry pie and baking spice on the palate. There is a slight candied element to the cherry fruit that is somewhat distracting. For me, Kosta Browne is usually about pure, rich, lush fruit. Just nitpicking but the bar is set pretty high here. Delicious wine that is ready to drink.
My rating: 91 points.
The 2013 version will be released this Fall. As I mentioned in the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists, Kosta Browne is one of hardest lists to crack. Maybe so, but you’ve got nothing to lose by putting your name on the waiting list. Good luck!
The Kosta Browne tasting room at The Barlow in Sebastopol is worth a visit if you can get yourself an appointment.
I recently blogged about Kosta Browne in The 2015 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.
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