Community Tasting Note
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Le Nez wrote: 88 points
May 28, 2011 - I just don't get the reviews posted so far for the 2009 KB Sonoma Coast. This vintage is a definite departure for KB. It seems to be in a completlely closed phase (and this is after letting it settle for a couple of months after shipping). No real nose or aromatics to speak of. Flat, slightly tannic on the palate, but CLOSED. It's just not exhibiting anything, which is highly unusual for these wines. Usually, you get a nice nose of fruit from these wines upon opening, even when young. After 2.5 hours open in a decanter, there's still no nose, but some fruit is starting to express itself ... faint strawberry followed by plum , then it shuts down ... the tannins are quite smooth, which gives the impression of signature "creaminess" of KB's blended wines. I'm giving this wine an 88pt score for now. I recently opened a 2009 Sojourn Sangaicomo and was stunned at its beauty and approachability. For my money, Sojourn is really starting to kick ass and their single vineyard wines are in the same price range (actually a little less expensive) than the KB blends. I'm just not sure that there's enough stuffing in the KB to ever develop into a seriously good wine. I've had a lot of KB wines over the years (blends and single vineyard) and this 2009 blend is disappointing for now. Will check another bottle in six to nine months to see if anything is developing. For the record, another one of my favorite pinots - the Kanzler Vineyard Pinot - well, their 2009 vintage is pretty shut down now as well - buy you do get the nice Kanzler earthiness that has become Steve Kanzler's signature. I dont know what to make of the fact that the 2009 Sojourn Sangiacomo is mind-blowingly delicious right now, while 2009 KB and Kanzler are so shut down. That's what makes wines so interesting, I suppose.
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