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 92.7 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 149 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by jmottern on 10/13/2023 & rated 94 points: Deep dark red full body (14.3%) wine. Nice nose. Beautiful melody of plum, blackberry with a hint of caramel. Super finish. (512 views) | | | Tasted by Bill B. on 8/8/2023 & rated 93 points: Outstanding. Some time left. (446 views) | | | Tasted by davidsm on 7/8/2023 & rated 94 points: 1 hour of bottle air. In a perfect place now, not close to declining but time to drink. (638 views) | | | Tasted by Barry Notes on 5/12/2023 & rated 92 points: P/w 15 mins glass time. Clear, purple/ruby. Beautiful nose and wine. Black and red fruit, perfect integration/balance. At the top of it's drinking window. Restrained in power. Nice long finish. $103 winery direct. (784 views) | | | Tasted by Naso on 3/15/2023 & rated 91 points: Good stuff - (982 views) | | | Tasted by davudvl on 3/12/2023 & rated 88 points: This producer is always a hit or a miss for me. This was a miss. The wine lacked structure and felt sort of watery without much acidity and very little fruit Maybe it was an off bottle or it’s already past it’s prime. (739 views) | | | Tasted by mflesh on 11/18/2022: An eclectic lineup including a 2002 Valbuena, 2016 SamiOdi Hoffman Dallwitz Shiraz, 2009 Reserve de la Comtesse, and 2009 LeMacchiole Paleo. The nose and palate of this wine is brambly raspberry, cola, and fig jam. Definitely not your robust youthful fruit bomb that you see from Gap's Crown pinots upon initial release, but was showing a lot of different character today. Really good wine. Went very well with a spiced nut combo. If you have these, it's time to start popping them open! (1262 views) | | | Tasted by Tangeray on 11/13/2022 & rated 94 points: Drinking beautifully, with some age resembles a younger Burgundy. Ripe cherries, vanilla, silky and delicious.
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, cherry and mushroom. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity. (908 views) | | | Tasted by spendergast on 8/23/2022 & rated 94 points: This wine continues to drink very well, with notes similar to my last tasting in 2019: raspberry, cherry, mocha with subtle tannins and long finish. (1121 views) | | | Tasted by SCosgrove on 8/5/2022 & rated 92 points: Beautiful (989 views) | | | Tasted by travelme on 6/10/2022 & rated 93 points: This bottle of Pinot was brought to a wine dinner and was smooth as silk. Cranberry, cherry cola, and spice box. Great wine and finished extremely quickly. (1164 views) | | | Tasted by Coswinetaster on 5/8/2022 & rated 91 points: Dark ruby with a touch of brown around the edges. Medium legs. Cherry and some vanilla on the nose. This became more prominent about an hour after the bottle was opened. Light to medium on the palate. Some cherry and raspberry with some slight spice. Nicely balance. Medium finish with hints of dark fruit. (945 views) | | | Tasted by Christian De Lafoye on 3/23/2022 & rated 93 points: Terrific Pinot Noir. Pours medium garnet clear and medium legs. The nose is exquisite and classic PN. Pure redfruit. First taste was fresh black cherry and raspberry with a hint of pepper on the finish. Medium tannins and medium acidity. Oddly as it opened up, the wine became heavier, more tongue coating and stronger acidity with more tart cherry and dare I say cough syrupy notes. I had some cheese to see if that would soften it as normally a wine will mellow or soften but this wine got harsher edges. Still an outstanding California PN. Enjoyed with @samuel de lafoye (1145 views) | | | Tasted by jbro on 1/29/2022 & rated 91 points: I waited for years to be able to buy the single vineyards only to find that in some vintages the appellation wines outshine the single vineyard wines. Gaps Crown is not my favorite single vineyard--it seems too monolithic. I do not believe this estate has held its quality since the founder's sold. (1039 views) | | | Tasted by jmottern on 1/18/2022 & rated 94 points: Medium big wine (14.3%) Very slow to open but when it did, a wonderful taste of caramel, black cherry and plum. Unusual and very nice. Great wine. (1130 views) | | | Tasted by pgb67 on 11/30/2021 & rated 91 points: Holidays 2021; 11/30/2021-1/2/2022 (Dogwood Grove, Arlington, VA): A very interesting wine, with an amaro-like bitterness woven into the pinot noir red fruit. Like a great wine should, it evolves in the glass, changing from a lithe, sparkly pinot into something more brooding and sophisticated. That all being said, I might prefer a more straightforward expression of pinot. (1393 views) | | | Tasted by underwds on 8/28/2021 & rated 90 points: Medium garnet in color. Cherry and red raspberry fruit, a little baking spice, and then well integrated oak on the finish. Nice wine, just didn't stand out as much for me as others have written.
11/5/2023. Still bright color and fruit, though more of the bramble sort than cherry. Not much in secondary notes, but nice, subtle oak finish. (1357 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 6/3/2021 & rated 92 points: Similar tasting note to previous bottle, but perhaps a bit less vibrant. (1452 views) | | | Tasted by BobbaWA on 4/25/2021 & rated 91 points: Seems like maybe we waited a year too long to open. Lovely with cherry cola flavors. But it seems like the luster may have diminished a touch. (1463 views) | | | Tasted by tfesmgk on 1/22/2021 & rated 92 points: Slightly past its prime but still great. Balance of dark fruit, wood, leather. (1731 views) | | | Tasted by Schwarzer Hund on 12/30/2020: dark red, dark cherry nose and on palate, very smooth and perfect balance, medium length finish. (1529 views) | | | Tasted by Castle Peak on 11/12/2020 & rated 93 points: Lovely as ever and drinking really well. Elegant. (1668 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 11/1/2020 & rated 93 points: Rich core of dark cherry fruit and spice on the nose and palate with silky texture and a moderate finish with refreshing acidity & tannins.
Classic KB! Last bottle was clearly flawed. (1444 views) | | | Tasted by SCosgrove on 10/30/2020 & rated 93 points: Wow! (1377 views) | | | Tasted by Andrew H on 9/4/2020 & rated 92 points: Medium-deep red. Medium cherry, hint of cranberry and some ripe raspberry. A touch of baking spice. Tannins integrated. Good time to drink. (1373 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #105 (9/15/2015)
(Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Sonoma Supplement 2015 (May 2015) (3/1/2015)
(Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noir Gaps Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of PinotReport and Vinous. (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) |
|
