External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.1 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 150 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by xwine on 3/1/2024: Good in its style, but for me a bit "meh." Nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't very exciting. (137 views) | | | Tasted by andrewdodd86 on 5/2/2023 & rated 95 points: Classic Kb, cherry cola, some RS. At peak (469 views) | | | Tasted by davudvl on 12/24/2021 & rated 92 points: Smooth. Fruit forward with good acidity. Well integrated. Drink up. (989 views) | | | Tasted by heyjon on 5/2/2021 & rated 94 points: Earthy nose of red stone fruit, potting soil, baking spice, oak, leather and rhubarb, fabulously balanced palate and fruit forward, bursting with luscious ripe red cherry and sweet strawberry, placid notes of cola, mocha and leather, threaded together perfectly with soft, rounded tannins and finishing long with whispers of honey and white pepper. Perfection. Paired wonderfully with Seared Duck Breast, Roasted Vegetables and Whipped Potatoes. (1271 views) | | | Tasted by Koymama on 5/23/2020 & rated 92 points: Very nice but past it’s peak. (1744 views) | | | Tasted by alexmel7 on 1/3/2020 & rated 95 points: Smooth but enough acidity, good progression of fruit, strawberry notes (1723 views) | | | Tasted by bonedoc on 12/14/2019 & rated 92 points: Still delicious, but fading a little. (1591 views) | | | Tasted by qing0412 on 9/7/2019 & rated 75 points: Dark purple almost black, sweet spicy black cherry nose, heavily extracted, does any Pinot Noir deserve 14.5% alcohol? A clumsy brute next to a Burgundy Grand Cru, a Burgundy Premier Cru, an Oregon PN and a German Spätburgunder, even worse than a 2009 KB RRV! A poster child of what a Pinot should not be. (1595 views) | | | Tasted by NY Wino on 7/10/2019 & rated 95 points: Deep ruby color, big nose of cherries and a hint of alcohol. This wine is delicious! Velvety smooth cherry flavor that finishes for over 30 seconds. No evidence of any heat or overripeness. Drinking beautifully. (1471 views) | | | Tasted by andrewdodd86 on 11/21/2018 & rated 97 points: Kirsch, all cherry. Less cherry cola than other KB. Gorgeous, restrained, elegant. At peak. 2018-2022 (1653 views) | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 11/4/2018 & rated 94 points: Dark color, deep rich fruit flavor. (1409 views) | | | Tasted by DBSingleton on 9/22/2018: Some people listed this as past the drinking window. It absolutely was perfect. Kosta Browne at its best. Sorry I only have one more bottle. (1400 views) | | | Tasted by alchemist on 4/22/2018: Fully integrated. Cherry, cola, spice in good balance. Drink now. (1827 views) | | | Tasted by rustyRudy on 8/23/2017 flawed bottle: Unhappily corked. The one sour note of the KB tasting (2593 views) | | | Tasted by andrewdodd86 on 8/22/2017 flawed bottle: Kosta Browne 2009 Horizontal (Kiawah Island, SC): Corked, sadly (2043 views) | | | Tasted by BobbaWA on 5/12/2017 & rated 90 points: Spring flowers adorned our table, and were a perfect metaphor for this lovely wine. Cherry blossoms, orange flower, a nice balance and soft finish made this wine a perfect representation of the season. (2226 views) | | | Tasted by rustyRudy on 4/21/2017 & rated 95 points: Even at age 8 the fruit and flavor profile you expect from Kosta Brown is all there. Everything is well balanced. Took to a dinner party, group favorite, was tremendous with the grilled salmon. (2290 views) | | | Tasted by brujazz on 2/11/2017 & rated 88 points: Not what I expected. Light in body and elegant in taste. Archetypical Kosta Browne cherry cola flavors with some complexity, but ultimately more on the simple side. Probably caught at it's peak, but definitely not worth the cost. (2027 views) | | | Tasted by gingerbreadman on 10/7/2016 & rated 75 points: Disappointed. At first taste I hoped it was something special. The initial cedar and earthiness was enticing. But …. It quickly subsided and became a distant memory. What was that again? Flaccid, sad and indistinguishable. (1935 views) | | | Tasted by Brunello123 on 8/28/2016 & rated 93 points: The wine is at a great spot right now and drinking very well while maintaining its fruit. (2119 views) | | | Tasted by Andrew H on 7/10/2016 & rated 91 points: Drinking nicely now. Bright fruit and undertones of cedar and spice. (1815 views) | | | Tasted by winelover1808 on 6/17/2016 & rated 93 points: seven years old; tasted like it was 3 yrs old. went down way too easily. still enough acidity - and layers of fruit. great juice (1874 views) | | | Tasted by Castle Peak on 6/5/2016 & rated 94 points: Delicious. Such a tasty and fun wine to drink to the very last drop.... (1767 views) | | | Tasted by TwistedArmadillo on 4/24/2016 & rated 91 points: Did a vertical tasting with the 08 which was similar but more complex. I like the 08 a bit more than the 09, but both are excellent wines. This wine is garnet colored with slow legs. The nose has dark cherry, and a hint of vanilla. On the palatte dark cherry, stoniness with a hint of barn-yard funk - the 08 had some smokiness as well. The body is full with a soft elegant texture and nice long finish. (1740 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 3/2/2016 & rated 93 points: As delicious as the last bottle! (1843 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 Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #73 (7/1/2011)
(Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2011, IWC Issue #156
(Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) 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 entryPinot 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.Gap's Crown VineyardGap’s Crown is perched on the western edge of Sonoma Mountain and is comprised of 37 vineyard blocks that span 140 planted acres. Ranging in elevation from 300’ to 840’ above sea level Gap’s Crown takes advantage of the steep Sonoma Mountain hillsides to promote natural airflow and soil drainage within the vineyard.
Gap’s Crown is part of the Sonoma Coast AVA and is situated at the confluence of where Sonoma Mountain and its surrounding southwest facing hills meet the Petaluma Wind Gap (Petaluma Gap). To the south the hills of Sonoma Mountain turn southeast and channel the cool breezes of the Petaluma Gap toward the San Pablo Bay. To the north Sonoma Mountain gives way to Crane Canyon and eventually a northwest oriented set of hills. A pocket is formed by Crane Canyon and these northwest hills just to the north of Gap’s Crown, creating a natural fog pocket around the vineyard. Typically, coastal fog that is trapped in this pocket takes longer to burn off during the latter days of the growing season. This lingering fog during at the end of the growing season allows Gap’s Crown fruit to ripen slowly, developing sugar and phenolic ripeness in unison.
Gap’s Crown vineyard is owned and managed by Gap’s Crown, LLC and is located in the Petaluma Wind Gap. Kosta Browne Winery has purchased Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir grapes since 2006, and now enjoys a long term lease of 37 planted acres. Their viticulture is second to none, producing some of the finest grapes in Sonoma County.
William “Bill” Price III, co-founder of private investment company TPG Group and a financier of North Coast wineries such as Kosta Browne, purchased the 138-acre Gap’s Crown pinot noir and chardonnay vineyard in the Sonoma Coast appellation east of Rohnert Park. Mr. Price on Dec. 11 purchased two properties from what had been part of the CalPERS vineyard portfolio. The 106 acres of planted pinot noir and 32 acres of chardonnay are located off Roberts Road on the western slopes of Sonoma Mountain east of Rohnert Park. The sale price wasn’t disclosed in public records. Mr. Price told Wine Spectator that the purchase price was above $100,000 an acre and a new high value level for Sonoma Coast vines. With plantings in 2002 and 2005, Gap’s Crown is a source if grapes for wineries such as Kosta Browne, Paul Hobbs and Patz & Hall. Mr. Price will continue to supply those grape contracts and will purchase fruit for his Three Sticks and Price Chanin brands, he told Wine Spectator. Vineyard acquisition as a way to access key grape supply was a main driver in dozens of North Coast property sales in the past year to wineries, including several in the Premier Pacific Vineyards portfolio. Mr. Price’s history in the wine business includes the purchase and sale of Beringer Vineyards and, more recently, the formation of a boutique vintner investment group called The Vincraft Group. It’s investments include the Kosta Browne and Gary Farrell brands.
Zepponi & Company of Santa Rosa advised Menlo Park-based private-equity firm GI Partners, which has been managing the Premier Pacific Vineyards portfolio for CalPERS for the past year. CalPERS in late 2011 said it would end its relationship with Premier Pacific Vineyards, and GI Partners has been marketing vineyards for sale. American AgCredit financed the purchase.
USAAmerican 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 CountySonoma Coast * Sonoma Coast AVA (Wikipedia)
* Sonoma Coast AVA (Wine Institue) |
|
