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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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...
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This wine is singing. Creamy textures and flavors of crushed cherries and strawberries. Subtle hints of cinnamon, violets and mild oak. Velvety tannins.
Big with brooding, this Pinot has strong cherry cola and strawberry fruit with a long finish and hints of spice and licorice. Classic single vineyard Kosta Browne. Absolutely must decant for an hour to have it settle down and as the evening lingers, this wine will change like a good Bordeaux.
RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): first wine that goes a little too far, with some liquored fruit aromas. Deep luxardo maraschino. Very big fruit palate, and still some deeper earthy tones, gets into some raisiny fruit on the palate.
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big, bold, very bright sweet cherry fruit. Acidity and soft tannins are there - I would have preferred a little less sweetness and a little more acidity to give this better balance. it was on the almost "candied" side to me - it was still very very enjoyable - but not as sublime as other Koplens I have had in the past
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Decanted one hour prior to consumption. Sometimes I question whether the designated vyd. bottlings are worth the extra expense, but in very good years they seem to strut and sashay. Vivid fruit profile of dark cherry, strawberry, and something darker. Silky on the palate carrying spice, new leather with a touch of chalk on a finish that echoes for a very long time. Delicious.
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Certainly on the large end of the spectrum, though not as big as I remembered from years past. Dark red and black fruit, some tar, maybe some floral elements. Drinking pretty well. A bit of alcohol on the finish, but barely perceptible.
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This wine was an absolute pleasure. These guys are at the top of their game and I continue to be a big fan of KB. I often do a pop-n-pour with their wines but decanted this one for almost 2 hours as we did a moonlight walk before dinner. The usual KB notes of cherry-cola and some nutmeg but I found this to be particularly smooth and just so easy to drink with all parts in harmony. A nice long finish left you tasting this 45 seconds later.
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Decanted and drank over several hours. Wonderful berry flavors and spice, yet rich. In some ways it reminds me of a cabernet with its texture, but it is all pinot none the less. A great accomplishment once again from Kosta-Browne.
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Pw/4 hour decant, served sligtly chilled. Clear, med purple/red. Typical KB nose and taste. Big/powerful, exceptional integration/balance. Intense flavor profile of black & red fruit, some cola, not overly ripe. Perfect drinking window, nothing off. $84 incl tax/shipping.
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Needed about an hour in the decanter to open up and after that was really amazing. The purity of the fruit is quite impressive as it has amazing depth and complexity and comes across the palate with an effortless smooth texture and a super long finish.
rich and interesting on the nose. nice palate is very well balanced. definitely has a big body for a Pinot. nice velvety finish. easy drinking and delicious
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Tasted at the winery. Some of the wines were recently bottled. Quick notes: black inky saturated black fruity; very light in body; ends with a citrus finish. Very Good to Excellent.
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3/25/2024 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 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.
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11/16/2023 - Jonathan T Likes this wine: 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!
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10/22/2022 - rustyRudy Likes this wine:
Dark garnet. Big cherry and cherry cola discernible on the nose and palate. Still full bodied and fruit forward
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4/10/2020 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 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.
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2/13/2020 - wineismylife wrote: 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.
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5/27/2019 - dbkitc wrote: 91 Points
Excellent KB that’s full of fruit and life. Again nicely. As good as it will ever be right now. (91)
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4/23/2019 - agbanker Likes this wine: 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.
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3/16/2019 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 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.
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11/30/2018 - Doctor Koulodare Likes this wine: 95 Points
Juicy, huge, blackberries, and black cherry with a bit of herbs, beautiful mouthfeel, acidity to keep it fresh.
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9/17/2018 - tomlee wrote: 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.
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9/9/2018 - ScottPreston wrote: 94 Points
In a fantastic place right now, but definitely at its peak. Drink now
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8/5/2018 - Doctor Koulodare Likes this wine: 94 Points
A classic KB beauty. Great cherry and plum flavors with a bit of spice, nice structure, great finish. Fully mature!
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3/10/2018 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 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.
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2/16/2018 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 94 Points
A concur with my previous note. This wine rocked!
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5/27/2017 - TwistedArmadillo Likes this wine: 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.
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4/30/2017 - brujazz wrote: 90 Points
Loaded with chocolate and cola flavors. Big bouquet and very long finish. Not too complex, but who cares.
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4/3/2017 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 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!
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2/2/2017 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 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
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11/27/2016 - mreinitz wrote: 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.
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11/2/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 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.
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9/2/2016 - pjhr wrote: 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.
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7/5/2016 - dbkitc wrote: 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)
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5/7/2016 - jimmythesaint wrote:
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...
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11/30/2015 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
No decant.
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11/10/2015 - Hbgsurgeon wrote: 95 Points
Wow
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11/8/2015 - bonedoc wrote: 93 Points
Excellent balance, still going despite age.
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10/31/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ripe red cherry and berry aromas and flavors with vanilla and earthy notes with mild refreshing acidity on the moderate finish.
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6/7/2015 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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4/21/2015 - Castle Peak wrote: 94 Points
This wine is singing. Creamy textures and flavors of crushed cherries and strawberries. Subtle hints of cinnamon, violets and mild oak. Velvety tannins.
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2/21/2015 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big with brooding, this Pinot has strong cherry cola and strawberry fruit with a long finish and hints of spice and licorice. Classic single vineyard Kosta Browne. Absolutely must decant for an hour to have it settle down and as the evening lingers, this wine will change like a good Bordeaux.
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12/21/2014 - winelover1808 wrote: 95 Points
amazing. powerful. explosive nose/perfume - so seductive. layers of fruit. long long finish. hedonistic.
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10/27/2014 - Double D wrote: 94 Points
Previous note-Beautiful and balanced, great dark fruit and seems ready to drink, how could it get better?
Not better but just as good!
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7/27/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): first wine that goes a little too far, with some liquored fruit aromas. Deep luxardo maraschino. Very big fruit palate, and still some deeper earthy tones, gets into some raisiny fruit on the palate.
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6/1/2014 - bigdogflow Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing wine. Great depth and super long finish.
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5/19/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 94 Points
Couple hour decant. Spectacularly rich, dynamic and complex. Drinking really well.
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5/18/2014 - winelover1808 wrote: 91 Points
big, bold, very bright sweet cherry fruit. Acidity and soft tannins are there - I would have preferred a little less sweetness and a little more acidity to give this better balance. it was on the almost "candied" side to me - it was still very very enjoyable - but not as sublime as other Koplens I have had in the past
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5/5/2014 - jeagle wrote: 94 Points
Decanted one hour prior to consumption. Sometimes I question whether the designated vyd. bottlings are worth the extra expense, but in very good years they seem to strut and sashay. Vivid fruit profile of dark cherry, strawberry, and something darker. Silky on the palate carrying spice, new leather with a touch of chalk on a finish that echoes for a very long time. Delicious.
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2/23/2014 - cadamson Likes this wine: 88 Points
Certainly on the large end of the spectrum, though not as big as I remembered from years past. Dark red and black fruit, some tar, maybe some floral elements. Drinking pretty well. A bit of alcohol on the finish, but barely perceptible.
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2/8/2014 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich and full bodied right out of the bottle. Hint of alcohol present. Very deep purple. Probably drinking too soon.
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10/19/2013 - Arch57 Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine was an absolute pleasure. These guys are at the top of their game and I continue to be a big fan of KB. I often do a pop-n-pour with their wines but decanted this one for almost 2 hours as we did a moonlight walk before dinner. The usual KB notes of cherry-cola and some nutmeg but I found this to be particularly smooth and just so easy to drink with all parts in harmony. A nice long finish left you tasting this 45 seconds later.
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9/6/2013 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and drank over several hours. Wonderful berry flavors and spice, yet rich. In some ways it reminds me of a cabernet with its texture, but it is all pinot none the less. A great accomplishment once again from Kosta-Browne.
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8/30/2013 - nicksala Likes this wine:
Did not seem as fruit driven as others, maybe getting a little old?
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7/15/2013 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pw/4 hour decant, served sligtly chilled. Clear, med purple/red. Typical KB nose and taste. Big/powerful, exceptional integration/balance. Intense flavor profile of black & red fruit, some cola, not overly ripe. Perfect drinking window, nothing off. $84 incl tax/shipping.
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5/22/2013 - awise45 wrote: 94 Points
Super smooth and velvety, with a long finish. Decanted for 30 minutes, wonderful.
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12/12/2012 - Rob MacKay wrote: 94 Points
Needed about an hour in the decanter to open up and after that was really amazing. The purity of the fruit is quite impressive as it has amazing depth and complexity and comes across the palate with an effortless smooth texture and a super long finish.
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7/28/2012 - Double D wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful and balanced, great dark fruit and seems ready to drink, how could it get better?
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4/27/2012 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Terrific fruit. Probably needs another year or two in the bottle for full potential.
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1/12/2012 - Redondo-Wino wrote: 92 Points
rich and interesting on the nose. nice palate is very well balanced. definitely has a big body for a Pinot. nice velvety finish. easy drinking and delicious
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2/12/2011 - tanglenet wrote:
Tasted at the winery. Some of the wines were recently bottled. Quick notes: black inky saturated black fruity; very light in body; ends with a citrus finish. Very Good to Excellent.
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