The Sta. Lucia version of Kosta wines are sort of up and down for me. This location has a very distinctive flavor profile, and it either comes off superb in good years or sort of odd in others. This one was somewhere in between. Cork was stained a medium magenta and was wet and stained about 1/4". I enjoyed it still but I prefer the Sonoma and Russian River versions a bit more. It sort of reminds me of a candy I had once. It was ready but I think it can go about 3 more years, with possible upside development.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Thought it was going to be really tasty but turned out to be pretty special. Caught at just the right time, there was lots of cinnamon, plums and root beer. Do not think it will get any better so if you have any, drink up; its some great juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nose of cherries and spice, medium amber in color. A medium to full bodied Pinot, with currants, cherries, dust and spice on finish, was very smooth, drink now. www.winelx.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I think the major review publications of about 90 to 92 are about right. That being said, an enjoyable wine that seems a little denser on the palate than many other pinot producers. Seems to come around better with age. Fruit is in a nice place right now. For me I like Kosta pinots close to the 10 year mark. They do hold up that long and I've never had one yet that I considered faded or past it's prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ex-Ray nailed the notes and score from my vantage point but I had a slightly more positive view. A really nice nose that unfortunately went away after the bottle was open for a bit. On the palate, I got cherry cola, raspberry, and spice box notes. It made a nice impression. First time I tasted this wine since the release party. A little pricey for what it was but overall it was still a good SLH and a strong showing overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
medium ruby color, translucent. Pleasant black raspberry aromas but not profound or complex. Medium body, pleasant flavors. Typical PN characteristics. Quite ready. Overpriced, much prefer Walter Hansel North Slope. Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gobs of black fruit and pronounced tea. Long but tannic and slightly drying finish. Not its best showing tonight, gassed remaining half hoping it improves when opened and rehandled on Day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A welcome reprieve from recent overly extracted and powerful Kosta pinots from Sonoma. Actually able to enjoy spice and red fruit characteristics without being overwhelmed by alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Elegant simplicity. Drinking this wine is to experience an as close to perfect CA PInot Noir as I have experienced. Nothing is missing and is in perfect balance. Expect the renown SLH fruit is a major part of what makes this wine sing so well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened bottle 1.5 hours prior to serving. Wine opened up in hours 2 and 3. Nose and entry was good; however, the finish was short and disjointed (on the thin and acidic end of the spectrum). Not sure if it's an issue with this particular bottle or the wine is approaching the end of its window and beginning to fall apart. Either way, QPR at $65.00 is low. Also worth noting that the fruit was retrained relative to other KB appellation level wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium red with hints of purple, clear. Brilliant nose of earth, cherry, Wintery spice, tannins integrated, a touch of cranberry. Seems like a good time to drink this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Much better than the bottle I had a year ago as the extra time has definitely paid off. Red cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, and cranberry fruit up front. Nice tartness to it with notes of cinnamon spice and caramel. Firm acidity and long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is really strutting it's stuff right now! Delicious red fruit and spice character shines through on the nose and on the tongue. It showed no signs of being near the end of its life. This wine is making me rethink our future purchases of California Pinot Noir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Vibrant ruby in the glass. The nose is enticing. Ripe red and some black fruit with a creamy quality. Pleasant baking spices and a bit of boozy cola. In the mouth it is lighter than I would have expected, especially at 14.7% alcohol. Tannin and acid help balance the wine out but there is still a bit of heat on the back end. All in all, a nice wine just a bit boozy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
These Kosta Brownes do improve noticeably with a few years of age. This is smooth and luscious without a trace of heat which is sometimes noticeable when just released. Red cherries and some Indian spices in the background. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A rich and exuberant Pinot that is drinking beautifully right now. Cherry red in color, medium in body, nose of blueberry pie, nutmeg, and fresh-cut flowers. Tastes of cranberry, licorice, sage, and rhubarb, with a lovely finish with fine-grained tannins. 14.7% alcohol. This wine is both nuanced and juicy, but it has more punch than finesse - something I've also found with wines from home-grown producers like Pisoni and Lucia. Bottom line, this wine is quite good, and a lot of fun to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Man, I really wanted to like this one more than I did considering I'm a big SLH fan. Ironically, this is the first SLH I've tried from KB so suffice to say, I'm a little disappointed. The initial first impression of the wine is actually good with with raspberry, cranberry, and red cherry fruit up front. It even has that typical cinnamon spice note to it. However, the flavor just falls off immediately and becomes flat with a very short finish and not much on the end. Hmmm.....
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Similar flavor profile as my previous notes, but even less verve than before. This is like a long, drawn out break up... Is it me or is it you?! I have this hopeless thought that someone from KB will read this and step up and say, "I'm sorry, but you are right; our wines have gotten worse over time. Our bad." But alas, they just keep making this "wine." Such a shame.
Ok, here are the specific notes: PnP with thin black cherry, light cranberry, and a hint of vanilla. Simple on the attack (like a limp-wristed 6-year-old trying to make a fist and punch you in the face); hollow mid-palate, and little-to-no finish. Watery and near-flavorless. Barely passes as a $10 Pinot. Some air helped it fan out a bit, but nothing worth really noting.
I'm scoring this an 86 because I want to believe things will get better, but I'm pretty confident they won't. Holding out will do nothing more than thin the fruit out even more. Drink (or dump) now. Gravely disappointing (as if you couldn't tell by my review).
...just my humble opinion. And no, the bottle was not flawed or corked or stewed or off or VA-ed. It was just utterly forgettable and boring. Waste of time for me.
Decanted 6 hours prior to consumption. Still more disappointment from a producer I used to show off to my friends. This bottle offered very simple rhubarb / strawberry fruit in a silky package with an overlay of biting acid.
Wonderful! This wine is choked full of Pinot wonder. Tart red fruit dominate. Nice color. Smoky nose reminds me of Dunhill pipe tobacco. This one is a keeper.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
What will likely be my biggest disappointment of 2016.
After trying the 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast (WS 2011 wine of the year) a few years ago I was instantly hooked on their Pinot Noir. I'm really not sure what has changed over at KB (yes, I realize this is the Santa Lucia Highlands) but this bottle was nothing short of sweet cherry jam built for the masses with a hefty price tag.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big on sweet red fruits of cherry, raspberry and maybe some strawberry mixed with some spice. Very soft and velvety on the palate with lingering soft finish. Maybe lacks to complexity of other KB's
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black cherry, ripe raspberry, KB cola, vanillin cassis, and subtle wood smoke. Improved with an hour in the decanter. The best of the appellation 2012 KB Pinots at the moment.
Ready to drink now with a little air. Prime drinking window 2015-2018+.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): ‘all about mouthfeel.’ This PN was started in 2005 with Gary’s and Rosella’s. Pisoni fruit followed. They Sierra Mar and Sobranis (sp?). More depth of fruit after the ’12 Sonoma Coast. Vs the ’12 RRV, here we have depth of fruit AND spice. Salty aromas. Hints of earth and pencil on the palate. All of these PNs show a chewy mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. This should definitely be held until at least next year. It's just a bit too acidic right now. You still get nice cherry and strawberry taste and aroma, but it just isn't quite ready. I think it is looking good at this stage, but I'll withhold a score for now. I'll hold my remaining bottle for at least 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at pickup day. Score based on current enjoyment. The SLH was by far the most accessible of the three wines. I noted this to the staff who said the RR and SC had just recently been bottled, hence the tightness on those two wines. Wine was medium ripe - black fruits - balanced- quite tasty. Hold the rr and sc for now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have never tried this KB before, so I decided to try it immediately after release. I always cellar my KB 4-6 years before consumption. This one is drinking well right now, however, I'm sure it will age gracefully. Over all, I'm happy with this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/29/2022 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 91 Points
The Sta. Lucia version of Kosta wines are sort of up and down for me. This location has a very distinctive flavor profile, and it either comes off superb in good years or sort of odd in others. This one was somewhere in between. Cork was stained a medium magenta and was wet and stained about 1/4". I enjoyed it still but I prefer the Sonoma and Russian River versions a bit more. It sort of reminds me of a candy I had once. It was ready but I think it can go about 3 more years, with possible upside development.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2022 - ScottPreston wrote: 92 Points
Still drinking really well, despite CT saying its out of the window. Layers of strawberries, well integrated. Easily 3 more years of life.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2022 - brujazz wrote: 92 Points
Thought it was going to be really tasty but turned out to be pretty special. Caught at just the right time, there was lots of cinnamon, plums and root beer. Do not think it will get any better so if you have any, drink up; its some great juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2021 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 92 Points
A nose of cherries and spice, medium amber in color. A medium to full bodied Pinot, with currants, cherries, dust and spice on finish, was very smooth, drink now. www.winelx.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2021 - Wine Sparty wrote: 89 Points
Some nice cherry flavor. Decent acidity but this just seems kinda boring overall
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2021 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 92 Points
I think the major review publications of about 90 to 92 are about right. That being said, an enjoyable wine that seems a little denser on the palate than many other pinot producers. Seems to come around better with age. Fruit is in a nice place right now. For me I like Kosta pinots close to the 10 year mark. They do hold up that long and I've never had one yet that I considered faded or past it's prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2021 - travelme Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ex-Ray nailed the notes and score from my vantage point but I had a slightly more positive view. A really nice nose that unfortunately went away after the bottle was open for a bit. On the palate, I got cherry cola, raspberry, and spice box notes. It made a nice impression. First time I tasted this wine since the release party. A little pricey for what it was but overall it was still a good SLH and a strong showing overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2020 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
medium ruby color, translucent. Pleasant black raspberry aromas but not profound or complex. Medium body, pleasant flavors. Typical PN characteristics. Quite ready. Overpriced, much prefer Walter Hansel North Slope.
Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2020 - brasstab wrote: 95 Points
Even better the second time. Dark chocolate-covered cherries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2020 - brasstab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Paired with kale salad and appetizers on a sunny Mother's Day. A perfect transition from a couple of Sauvignon Blancs to a Barolo and a Merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2019 - Michigan Mostberg Likes this wine: 89 Points
Gobs of black fruit and pronounced tea. Long but tannic and slightly drying finish. Not its best showing tonight, gassed remaining half hoping it improves when opened and rehandled on Day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2019 - Michigan Mostberg Likes this wine: 90 Points
A welcome reprieve from recent overly extracted and powerful Kosta pinots from Sonoma. Actually able to enjoy spice and red fruit characteristics without being overwhelmed by alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2019 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
medium color, translucent. Pleasant but not profound aroma and taste. Typical PN characteristics. Quite ready.
Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2019 - Castle Peak wrote: 95 Points
Elegant simplicity. Drinking this wine is to experience an as close to perfect CA PInot Noir as I have experienced. Nothing is missing and is in perfect balance. Expect the renown SLH fruit is a major part of what makes this wine sing so well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2019 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little lighter than most KB pinot’s. Jammy with more raspberry flavors. Good but not my favorite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2018 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not as rich or complex as their single vineyards, but still elegant and excellent. Ready now.
Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2018 - Daisy1995 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2018 - Dnacabernet wrote: 89 Points
Opened bottle 1.5 hours prior to serving. Wine opened up in hours 2 and 3. Nose and entry was good; however, the finish was short and disjointed (on the thin and acidic end of the spectrum). Not sure if it's an issue with this particular bottle or the wine is approaching the end of its window and beginning to fall apart. Either way, QPR at $65.00 is low. Also worth noting that the fruit was retrained relative to other KB appellation level wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2018 - Andrew H wrote: 93 Points
Medium red with hints of purple, clear. Brilliant nose of earth, cherry, Wintery spice, tannins integrated, a touch of cranberry. Seems like a good time to drink this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2018 - brianofthevine wrote: 92 Points
Much better than the bottle I had a year ago as the extra time has definitely paid off. Red cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, and cranberry fruit up front. Nice tartness to it with notes of cinnamon spice and caramel. Firm acidity and long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2018 - SMZ wrote: 90 Points
Lighter and less flavorful than most KB’s
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
Drank next to Lucia Gary’s, and came across as lighter in fruit profile (red vs purple), less oak, a bit more restrained.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2018 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is really strutting it's stuff right now! Delicious red fruit and spice character shines through on the nose and on the tongue. It showed no signs of being near the end of its life. This wine is making me rethink our future purchases of California Pinot Noir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2018 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Vibrant ruby in the glass.
The nose is enticing. Ripe red and some black fruit with a creamy quality. Pleasant baking spices and a bit of boozy cola.
In the mouth it is lighter than I would have expected, especially at 14.7% alcohol. Tannin and acid help balance the wine out but there is still a bit of heat on the back end.
All in all, a nice wine just a bit boozy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2018 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nice, balanced, sparkly fruit, a hint of acid on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2017 - MWes wrote: 90 Points
Good, but not as bright as what I have come to expect from KB. Texture wasn’t as silky as usual either.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2017 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
These Kosta Brownes do improve noticeably with a few years of age. This is smooth and luscious without a trace of heat which is sometimes noticeable when just released. Red cherries and some Indian spices in the background. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2017 - cobystilp Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine still needs to breathe. Excellent young fruit. Perfect!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2017 - Arianne48 wrote:
$104 average
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2017 - msuwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
A rich and exuberant Pinot that is drinking beautifully right now. Cherry red in color, medium in body, nose of blueberry pie, nutmeg, and fresh-cut flowers. Tastes of cranberry, licorice, sage, and rhubarb, with a lovely finish with fine-grained tannins. 14.7% alcohol. This wine is both nuanced and juicy, but it has more punch than finesse - something I've also found with wines from home-grown producers like Pisoni and Lucia. Bottom line, this wine is quite good, and a lot of fun to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2017 - brianofthevine wrote: 89 Points
Man, I really wanted to like this one more than I did considering I'm a big SLH fan. Ironically, this is the first SLH I've tried from KB so suffice to say, I'm a little disappointed. The initial first impression of the wine is actually good with with raspberry, cranberry, and red cherry fruit up front. It even has that typical cinnamon spice note to it. However, the flavor just falls off immediately and becomes flat with a very short finish and not much on the end. Hmmm.....
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2017 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich strawberry and cherry fruit with soft tannins and an amazingly long finish for a Pinot Noir. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As tasty as the last bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully! More open than the last bottle with classic KB profile.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2017 - MikeOstr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent vintage. Notes of cherry and strawberry, smooth as silk.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2017 - crikel wrote: 88 Points
Disappointing
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark red cherry and berry flavors with earthy and spice notes. Smooth KB palate with a moderate finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2016 - flwinos wrote: 90 Points
PnP. Definitely very primary. Ripe raspberry, bing cherry. Overpriced? Possibly true. An enjoyable bottle nonetheless.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2016 - csimm wrote: 86 Points
Similar flavor profile as my previous notes, but even less verve than before. This is like a long, drawn out break up... Is it me or is it you?! I have this hopeless thought that someone from KB will read this and step up and say, "I'm sorry, but you are right; our wines have gotten worse over time. Our bad." But alas, they just keep making this "wine." Such a shame.
Ok, here are the specific notes: PnP with thin black cherry, light cranberry, and a hint of vanilla. Simple on the attack (like a limp-wristed 6-year-old trying to make a fist and punch you in the face); hollow mid-palate, and little-to-no finish. Watery and near-flavorless. Barely passes as a $10 Pinot. Some air helped it fan out a bit, but nothing worth really noting.
I'm scoring this an 86 because I want to believe things will get better, but I'm pretty confident they won't. Holding out will do nothing more than thin the fruit out even more. Drink (or dump) now. Gravely disappointing (as if you couldn't tell by my review).
...just my humble opinion. And no, the bottle was not flawed or corked or stewed or off or VA-ed. It was just utterly forgettable and boring. Waste of time for me.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
5/14/2016 - jeagle wrote: 87 Points
Decanted 6 hours prior to consumption. Still more disappointment from a producer I used to show off to my friends. This bottle offered very simple rhubarb / strawberry fruit in a silky package with an overlay of biting acid.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/15/2016 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful! This wine is choked full of Pinot wonder. Tart red fruit dominate. Nice color. Smoky nose reminds me of Dunhill pipe tobacco.
This one is a keeper.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2016 - Whistler Whino Does not like this wine: 87 Points
What will likely be my biggest disappointment of 2016.
After trying the 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast (WS 2011 wine of the year) a few years ago I was instantly hooked on their Pinot Noir. I'm really not sure what has changed over at KB (yes, I realize this is the Santa Lucia Highlands) but this bottle was nothing short of sweet cherry jam built for the masses with a hefty price tag.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2016 - J-Sho Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big on sweet red fruits of cherry, raspberry and maybe some strawberry mixed with some spice. Very soft and velvety on the palate with lingering soft finish. Maybe lacks to complexity of other KB's
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2015 - csimm wrote: 92 Points
Black cherry, ripe raspberry, KB cola, vanillin cassis, and subtle wood smoke. Improved with an hour in the decanter. The best of the appellation 2012 KB Pinots at the moment.
Ready to drink now with a little air. Prime drinking window 2015-2018+.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2015 - SW2020 wrote: 92 Points
Fruit on the nose with a bit of evergreen. Nice garnet color, medium bodied. Lots of fruit and cherry beautifully balanced with nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2015 - budh wrote: 91 Points
Lots of orange peel, cherry, allspice, nutmeg, cranberry, blackberry. Lush texture, long finish. Very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2015 - Andrew H wrote: 88 Points
Somewhat thin
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2014 - 818wines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big cherry and strawberry nose. This was singing considering how young it is. Nothing subtle here, but very tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): ‘all about mouthfeel.’ This PN was started in 2005 with Gary’s and Rosella’s. Pisoni fruit followed. They Sierra Mar and Sobranis (sp?). More depth of fruit after the ’12 Sonoma Coast. Vs the ’12 RRV, here we have depth of fruit AND spice. Salty aromas. Hints of earth and pencil on the palate. All of these PNs show a chewy mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2014 - Wine Sparty wrote:
Popped and poured. This should definitely be held until at least next year. It's just a bit too acidic right now. You still get nice cherry and strawberry taste and aroma, but it just isn't quite ready. I think it is looking good at this stage, but I'll withhold a score for now. I'll hold my remaining bottle for at least 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2014 - rwalker82 wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at pickup day. Score based on current enjoyment. The SLH was by far the most accessible of the three wines. I noted this to the staff who said the RR and SC had just recently been bottled, hence the tightness on those two wines. Wine was medium ripe - black fruits - balanced- quite tasty. Hold the rr and sc for now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2014 - Brunello123 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I have never tried this KB before, so I decided to try it immediately after release. I always cellar my KB 4-6 years before consumption. This one is drinking well right now, however, I'm sure it will age gracefully. Over all, I'm happy with this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment