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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93.1 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 81 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 3/25/2024 & rated 94 points: Wonderful wine at the 15-year mark. Very elegant and silky with red/black cherry, cranberry, and dark plum fruit. Notes of spice, cola, fresh herbs, and subtle earth. Such great balance right now and in a great drinking window. Probably my favorite vintage of older KB wines. (194 views) | | | Tasted by Jonathan T on 11/16/2023 & rated 96 points: Phenomenal. I seem to have been saying that often recently about Kosta Browne as I've been drinking through 2008's and 2009's. I've come to the following conclusions: (1) I think 2008-2009 are the best pair of vintages ever for Kosta Browne. I seem to remember both being cooler vintages, compared to the warmer 2007, but also not as cold and dry as 2010-2011. I don't know if the current winemaking regime can match what was accomplished then. (2) Many vintages of KB, the RRV and SC appellation bottlings are comparable to the SVD's. For these two vintages, I think the SVD's are spectacular compared to the very good appellation wines. (3) Contrary to what the naysayers were saying 15 years ago, the KB from this era do age well, and very linearly. The 2009 Koplen is so pretty. So graceful, soft and velvety in texture and detailed nuances of fresh, delicate berry like farmer's market fruit in peak season. Weightless on the palate, sophisticated, but not fragile. Imagine a ballerina's power and grace. The level of acidity is just right to me. Does not come off as overly acidic, but definitely a crisp, juicy berry or citrus zing on the finish. It's peaking, so drink up! (382 views) | | | Tasted by rustyRudy on 10/22/2022: Dark garnet. Big cherry and cherry cola discernible on the nose and palate. Still full bodied and fruit forward (874 views) | | | Tasted by D.Callahan on 4/10/2020 & rated 95 points: Absolutely delicious! I decanted this about 2hours before a dinner of pork chops. The wine opened up beautifully. There were just a small amount of dregs in the bottle. The nose was full of floral, herbal and earthy tones. The palate echoed these notes and was seamless through mid palate and the mid length finish. At ten years this wine was in the groove without signs of impending decline. (2068 views) | | | Tasted by wineismylife on 2/13/2020 & rated 94 points: WIML94
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Attractive nose that draws you in deeper with firm enticing aromas of Birch, florals, black boysenberries and black cherries. Flavors of plums, boysenberry, black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, fully resolved tannin, full bodied. Drink now. (2033 views) | | | Tasted by dbkitc on 5/27/2019 & rated 91 points: Excellent KB that’s full of fruit and life. Again nicely. As good as it will ever be right now. (91) (2212 views) | | | Tasted by agbanker on 4/23/2019 & rated 91 points: A nice garnet colored wine with aromas of blackberry, blueberry with earthy notes. Flavors of plum, dark cherry, red currant, plum, forest floor and clove.
A medium bodied wine with a satin-like texture. A long finish with a soft tannin backbone. This wine still has at least 3 years left. (1963 views) | | | Tasted by slywka7 on 3/16/2019 & rated 95 points: Pop and pour. Aromas of sarsaparilla, dried cherry, dried strawberry, nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon. Flavors of bing cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, touch oy boysenberry and a touch of cola. Ends with a long finish of 40+ seconds with a very pure cherry note lingering throughout. People say these wines would not age but this is aging wonderfully. This was properly stored though right from release. Parker said that the majority of California wines don't change like Bordeaux but hang on. Think he was referring to the Cabs but the Pinots like this might fall in line as well. (1896 views) | | | Tasted by Doctor Koulodare on 11/30/2018 & rated 95 points: Juicy, huge, blackberries, and black cherry with a bit of herbs, beautiful mouthfeel, acidity to keep it fresh. (1167 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 9/17/2018 & rated 95 points: Crimson in color. 14.6% ABV. Exquisite nose of red fruits, cloves, sarsaparilla and damp forest floor. Medium body with perfect acidity. Rich, plush and absolutely delicious. Raspberries, black cherries, baking spices and cola on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long. Just a stunning Pinot Noir and absolutely everything I like about Kosta Browne. Best over the next 2-3 years. (1463 views) | | | Tasted by ScottPreston on 9/9/2018 & rated 94 points: In a fantastic place right now, but definitely at its peak. Drink now (1027 views) | | | Tasted by Doctor Koulodare on 8/5/2018 & rated 94 points: A classic KB beauty. Great cherry and plum flavors with a bit of spice, nice structure, great finish. Fully mature! (1118 views) | | | Tasted by pmarlo on 3/10/2018 & rated 94 points: Another compelling pinot from Kosta. Deep flavor profile but with a bit more soil and cherry. Wonderful fragrant nose. totally ready now, but should last a year or two. (1366 views) | | | Tasted by CRAUBER4242 on 2/16/2018 & rated 94 points: A concur with my previous note. This wine rocked! (1439 views) | | | Tasted by TwistedArmadillo on 5/27/2017 & rated 94 points: Spectacular! I agree with others, this wine is certainly at a peak. All the characteristics of what you would expect of a KB, dark candid fruit, and leather notes on the nose. Mature, well integrated, spice, cola, more black than red fruit on the palate as others have noted. (1914 views) | | | Tasted by brujazz on 4/30/2017 & rated 90 points: Loaded with chocolate and cola flavors. Big bouquet and very long finish. Not too complex, but who cares. (1625 views) | | | Tasted by CRAUBER4242 on 4/3/2017 & rated 94 points: This wine rocked! Its at peak drinking and was fabulous like other '09 KBs I've had recently. Stellar concentration and balance, with notes of plum and black cherries galore. A tasty wine as ever! (1678 views) | | | Tasted by Barry Notes on 2/2/2017 & rated 91 points: Amana Ski Group: 1st of 5, 09-13 vertical SVD. Poured twice.
All p/w double decant, at 4 and 5 hours, formal tasting.
Clear, med purple color. Classic KB CA Pinot. Big, mature, well integrated, spice, cola, more black than red fruit. Slightly lighter than other vintages. Drink now. Nothing off. $78 (1739 views) | | | Tasted by mreinitz on 11/27/2016 & rated 92 points: We opened the 09 and 10 together to see how much difference a year makes. Although the flavor profile was quite similar between the bottles, with ripe red cherry, berry, and baking spice flavors, the 09 was noticeably deeper and more developed. The 10 was sweeter, with more concentrated fruit. The table was split on which was better, though I preferred the 09. (1765 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 11/2/2016 & rated 94 points: Much more youthful than the last bottle. Delicious ripe red cherry and berry aromas and flavors with vanilla and earthy notes with refreshing acidity on the long finish. (1295 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 9/2/2016 & rated 92 points: More mature than the bottle I had last year. Delicious with P & P, but faded fast with muddled ultra-ripe notes without the structure to pull it off. 5-6 years post vintage is the limit, at least to my palate, especially for a ripe vintage. (1426 views) | | | Tasted by dbkitc on 7/5/2016 & rated 93 points: If you like big, ripe Pinot, this is for you. Packs a huge punch but is balanced through to the finish. A fun wine that is not at all shy. Drinking well tonight. Very good for this style. (93) (1705 views) | | | Tasted by jimmythesaint on 5/7/2016: Unfortunately, I drank this too close to an 08 4 barrel. Even though the 08 was not a stellar year it was head and shoulders apparent over this bottle. This bottle was a tad muted on the nose but soft on the finish. Not sure if this was just an off bottle or maybe I was a tad off this evening. Others agreed on the muted nose... (1752 views) | | | Tasted by shaferguy91 on 11/30/2015 & rated 93 points: No decant. (1790 views) | | | Tasted by Hbgsurgeon on 11/10/2015 & rated 95 points: Wow (1705 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, The Best of Sonoma (Feb 2012)
(Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #73 (7/1/2011)
(Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2011, IWC Issue #156
(Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and PinotReport. (manage subscription channels) |
| Kosta Browne Producer website | Main Kosta Browne CellarTracker Wiki entry2009 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen VineyardFrom the winery:
The Koplen Vineyard lies in the Middle Reach of the Russian River appellation, just east of Olivet Road. Planted all to Dijon Clone 667, this slightly sloped vineyard shows bold fruit with complex flavors. Dennis and Lynn Koplen farm their vineyard with meticulous care, often calling the vines their “girls”. We know no other vineyard owner who personally spends as much time as Dennis and Lynn in the vineyard. The wine certainly shows their personality and level of dedication. Kosta Browne is privileged to be the only producer that has ever had access to the fruit from this special property.
AROMATICS: An exciting mixture of briary blackberry and black cherry fill the glass. Exotic spices intermingle with the lush berries. Intense is an understatement!
ON THE PALATE: Rich and well structured. A core of blackberry and raspberry envelope the midpalate. Layers of succulent dark fruits are beautifully balanced with acidity, spice and minerality. The alluring finish lingers with perfect elegance.
Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Koplen VineyardKoplen Vineyard lies in the Middle Reach of the Russian River appellation, just east of Olivet Road. Planted all to Dijon Clone 667 Pinot Noir, this slightly sloped vineyard shows bold fruit with complex flavors. Dennis and Lynn Koplen farm their vineyard with meticulous care, often calling the vines their “girls”. We know no other vineyard owner who personally spends as much time as Dennis and Lynn in the vineyard. The wine certainly shows their personality and level of dedication. Kosta Browne is privileged to be the only producer that has ever had access to the fruit from this special property.
©2012 Kosta Browne WineryUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountyRussian River Valley Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia |
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