funny...I've been holding onto this sucker for many years waiting to drink...was getting a bit afraid that I better drink it as it's a 14 year old domestic pinot (bought on release and kept in pristine conditions since). a little thin and disjointed the minute I opened it...gains weight and color with 10 mins of air...still changing in the glass after 4 hours...still youthful and I didn't need to be in a rush for this. nose of tea, strawberries....strawberry tea, kiwi, raspberries, spice, hints of tar, long long finish. great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is definitely a huge, ripe, CA Pinot, and I think my palate has changed a bit since the last time I had this last New Years...this is close to overripe to me now. I've drunk a lot of wine this year... :) It's not bad by any means, just maybe starting to move away from my preferences.
Dark, very ripe fruit, cola, caught a hint of flowers this time...violets maybe, molasses, baking spices, port-like notes as I noted previously. This 15.5% alcohol is definitely present in the finish.
It's drinking well now if you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
New Years 2012; 12/31/2011-1/1/2012: Always a great bottle. Stood up just fine next to the Cab Sauvs we had, with darker fruits, some cola, and really nice texture and smooth tannins. 4th bottle of this I've had in 2011, and they've been drinking perfectly this year I believe.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet to perhaps dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of spice, white pepper, cola, black berries and a bit of Kirsch. Flavors of berries, raspberries and cherries. Tart acidity, fairly firm tannins, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still performing well. Had with 2002 Clos De Tart, 2002 Domaine Serene, 2000 Marcassin Marcassin vineyard. It was most pleasing at start of tasting from nose, body, structure standpoint. Popped & poured. After 3hrs less integrated & acetone emerging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An excellent Pinot, right at or just past its peak. Buttery fruit on the nose, then an explosion of fruit on the palate followed by a beautiful molasses/port secondary layer. The wine is mouth coating and the finish goes on and on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Weekend in Paoli; 4/1/2011-4/2/2011 (Paoli, PA): Nose of sweet berries, layered red fruit, hints of black tea and spice. Soft tannins and medium acid. Bright cherries, cola. Rich but still light on its feet. Creamy finish. Tannins are softening up. I'd say drink now, but I enjoyed tasting this at this age. It was better two years ago so it's not my usual kosta browne experience, but it's still really good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted non blind. Opened and glass decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Followed over about two hours.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of Briar patch, black berries and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, Bing cherries and black raspberries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I opened the bottle and something seemed a little off. So I poured a glass and took a whiff. I got the smell of stewed tomatoes. So then I took a sip. Barely any fruit and it was a hot alcoholic mess. At first I thought that perhaps the bottle was past it's prime. I have always heard people say that the Kosta Browne wines can't stand the test of time. I then remembered I had a 2004 Sonoma Coast like a month ago and it was great! I did a little research online and concluded that the bottle was definitely flawed. It wasn't corked but I think it was cooked. I remember the cork had receded into the bottle a little bit, which I believe if it was cooked it would have popped out the top. Not really sure what to make of this but we were obviously all bummed out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
no formal notes taken as this was enjoyed during Mother's Day dinner.
this is in a great place right now. explosive nose. classic Russian River nose of cherry, forrest floor and cola. all parts in harmony now. long silky finish.. though i did think to myself that the taste was not as sweet as the nose. i would drink this sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted briefly at an offline. 15.5% ABV if memory serves. Much better than the 2000 vintage tasted alongside with bright tangy sweet black cherry fruit. Medium full bodied and rich. About an 88.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Showing a little age with slight browning around the edge of the glass. Awesome nose of cola and spice, following through on the palate. 45 second+ finish. Sadly my only bottle from this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 2 hours. Violet-tinged red. Open alluring aromas with cherries and pine forest floor with peppery spice, tea and a little vanilla. Palate has quite a bit of fleshy layed dark berry fruit but is beautifully balanced by fine gritty, mineral-laced tannins and nice acidity. Lengthy, spicey aftertaste. This both set off and complimented green-egged wild king salmon with a Ranier cherry sauce.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic Kosta Browne. The nose on this wine was gorgeous with black cherries, blackberries, and black tea that begged to be smelled over and over again. The mouthfeel was as rich as the nose and mirrored the ripe cherries and berries with a hint of minerality. This bottle was open 1 hour before an hour of decanting and was singing by the time it was poured into the glass. Sad to know that this will probably be my last bottle of Kosta Browne from the Cohn Vineyard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
No formal notes. Popped and poured and drank over 2 hours. This isn’t my style of Pinot. Over the top fruit, confected red berry flavours, cherry cola, rubber and medicinal notes on the nose and the booze isn’t shy either. It did get better with time, which my rating reflects. I can appreciate the quality of the fruit and the winemaking, and why many people like this, but it’s just not my thing. Drink now. Good. 86
Update on 2nd day: There was about one glass worth of wine left in the bottle, so I put the cork back in and into the fridge it went. Tonight, 24 hrs after I originally opened it, I finished those last few ounces. The wine was much better. The alcohol was more integrated, the fruit seemed less confected and more rich and pure. I would highly recommend a solid decant before drinking this wine or maybe it needs more time in the cellar. Ill be leaving my last bottle of this for a year or two. I’m increasing my score from 86 to 89. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This may be the best KB I have had in its ability to provide ripe raspberry fruit with density, baking spices and a long finish without being disjointed and hot. I would still drink in the short term before it loses this balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking very well right now. Intense fruit with a bit of fresh mushroom on both the nose. Rich and deep and on the palate. Overblown in style but a lot of fun to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took to a neighborhood party and it was enjoyed by all..., strike that, by many. someone bogarted it halfway through the bottle and we found it empty on the other side of the room behind a chair...
rather big and a little bit of heat. but still had the cherry and spice but with a little bit too much viscousity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I definitely liked this better in its youth. Even some slight age has taken away some of the power and verve but it has not been replaced by anything. Rather one dimensional. I did not find the alcohol intrusive, but I do drink these at cellar temperature. I'd be curious what I'd say on this wine if I had it blind. Not sure I'd recognize it as KB (as I have of other KB wines). Need to try an 2005 Cohn as another data point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas and mouth feel were amazing, but overall a dissappointment. Simple and awkward. I would not be so critical if this weren't priced like a premier cru Burgundy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The good news is that this did not show a sweet cotton candy profile and no bubble gum. It was actually one of the less extracted KB's I have had which was a bit surprising given the vintage. The downside was a definite lack of complexity but still enjoyable although nowhere near worth the price of admission. I also found a couple of food pairings to match this with as I drank it over 2 nights. Night 1 rotisserie smoked chicken wings dipped in a simple BBQ sauce, Night 2 grilled ground chuck hamburger with steak fries. Not your normal pinot fair but certainly speaks to how big these wines are.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So…..I am beginning to think I like these wines best when they are young and explosive. With a touch of age, they seem out of balance with the alcohol coming to the fore. This did integrate a bit after 2 hours…..so maybe just a bad phase. I tend to like elegance and finesse first and these are my occasional venture to the dark side – might not be going back for a while… (85+????)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My wife asked if the bottle was ok. I replied it seemed fine to me. She said it tasted like cherry cough syrup. And she was not far off. It was heavy, almost syrupy, and had a bit of heat on the finish with a taste predominately of cherry pie with some baking spices. What has happened to my palate? I really used to like these wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank this with some mild-ish Thai food. Maybe not the best pairing but I found the wine a bit heavy, some brown spice notes. I did not get heat, which some have suggested they found.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big Pinot with dark cherry and cola notes. Smooth at cellar temperature but a bit high in alcohol (hot) when it warmed up. 15.5% alcohol is a little high for my taste. First of four bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definitely in it's prime now this is a very nice pinot that Joan enjoyed more than I. A very unique pinot that is hard to describe this is definitely a very nice wine. Kudo's Michael for making such a great pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very well made wine that manages to balance its rich black cherry fruit with clove, vanilla and fine tannins. All of the components are well balanced and the wine manages to conceal its alcohol, despite its heft. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Whoa! The nose was typical RRV spice and fruit with a little caramel, but the flavors kept unrolling through fruit-esp cherry, bitter chocolate, cola. Very delicious, but hard to know how it will hold up as other KB's have peaked and dropped suddenly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was opened after the 2006 SC (popped and poured) and showed more depth/a broader range of flavors on the palate. Black cherry and tea with a long spicy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
California Pinots: Old and Young (Philadelphia): I really enjoyed this, but it didn't compare to the aged wines on the table. Someone noted that this had a candied note. It had a lovely long finish. I think it was just too young and I didn't have the opportunity to decant earlier in the day. I'm having it now and, on day two, there are less disparate parts and more integration. There is some obvious alcohol on this, but its really lovely. If you have the will power, wait on this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
DWDG February 2008 (Hector's on Henderson): WIML91. Tasted February 20, 2008. Opened and decanted about 2 hours before double decanting back into the bottle for transport to the restaurant. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of toasted caramel with some graham crackers, dark roasted fruits, cinnamon and white pepper. Hint of currants on the palate up front followed by some stewed plums and black cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Drink now with 2-3 hours in the decanter or continue to hold. I'll likely extended the drinking window on my two remaining bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very dark Pinot with an over the top nose of Raspberry, cherry and Cola. Decanted for 2+ hours and this wine was singing. Layers of flavor from Dark fruit to Cola to spice with a bit of an earthy profile, the finish went on for over 45 seconds and only got better as time went on. Would recomend a long decant or several more years in bottle befor opening one. This was everyones WOTN to bad it was my only one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Surprising mature. Starts with an expressive nose. A very tasty pinot that seems to be developing secondary nuances already. Will be interesting to see how this pinot develops further. Sure is tasty now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
What a bottle of wine. Color was a very dark red and the nose was over-the-top, with heavy cherry, raspberry and lighter strawberry notes. Over the first hour, the wine settled down quite a bit, but left us with dark cherry flavors and a little spice, with a very syrupy texture. Finish was great, but everyone commented there was definitely some heat on the end (not due to serving temp). Paired with pan-seared pork chops with a cherry/pinot noir reduction sauce, so we were in heaven. Not sure I see the 97 upside on this (given the heat and syrup) but I definitely didn't think this was an 85.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First pour was backward and faintly reductive. Walking the fine line between protective winemaking, and overzealous exclusion of oxygen. In my experience, that's usually a sign of good things to come. The reductive smell blew off after 10 minutes and within 30, the wine started to unfurl. An hour and 15 minutes in, the wine evolved considerably. The bouquet was all strawberries and cream, although I found that the oak lacked integration – the strawberries and vanillin were disparate parts. Needs a year or two to resolve. A delicious mouthful of chocolate covered raisins, exotic red fruit, asphalt and chalk. A little more acid would bring welcome balance. The tannins are fine and talc like, lending a velvety mouth feel and persistent finish. Lacks the tell-tale floral aromas / elusiveness typical of pinot, and the faint minerality present would've led me to incorrectly identify the wine as a Dry Creek Turley had I tasted it blind. Short on grace, long on fun.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
To say that I am surpised by Parker's statements on these wines... is an understatement. Paired this tonight with Grilled Wild King Salmon, grilled veggies and a pasta arrabiata(homegrown) . Bigger Pinot seemed to fit the bill. Decanted 60min. Discussion ensued at dinner regarding Parker's comments... what he did and didnt say vis a vis these wines (and this one in particular.) To me, this was not as large scaled as I remember it during the last outing. But it was still bursting with flavor and certainly on the more luscious side of Pinots. It is a fair criticism and an accurate description of the wine I had to say that the back half/finish of this wine is dominated by acidity. It is penetrating and lingering. But for me, it makes this both (more) food friendly and keeps it from being oppessive. Is this Opulent? I'd say most definitely yes. It is bursting with flavor, liquer of rasberries and super ripe cherries. Old world (pinot) palates most certainly may object. But Parker? Its not that Parker disliked them (I dont need validation for my palate) but the words/descriptions that were attributed to him. Parker's descripton deviates from Tanzer, WS and shared experiences here. Followed up with an RP 85 rating for this... on the 'new' WA scoring scale (unless its in Italy) thats like a 70. Has the WA jumped the shark? Wow. I guess the KB mailing list wont be bumrushed with new inquiries. Good news for some.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decided to pop this tonite in light of the uproar on eBob re RP's informal notes on the KB SVDs:
Transparent, deep purple unto garnet. Not giving much on the nose at first, a litlle dark fruit & cranberry (?). As time went on, it seemed to open some (on the nose) and give some cola and spice notes. On the palate, at first the wine was a huge Cali pinot with red fruits and cola/mocha. As it sat, it developed more in the red fruit/acidic range of pinot. Frankly, very nice and unexpected in light of past experience with KB's being mostly on the big, fruity, cola/mocha end of pinot. Overall, a delicious and interesting wine. I'm very happy that I'm on their list.
Also, in interest of full palate tilting disclosure -- I'm of the Burgundy = God school of pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Explosive and lucious Rasberries and ripe cherries. Syrupy, Large and very juicy. But I still find this wine balanced with underlying minerality and mediterranean herbs. Defitinely some precense of wood, but the fruit has no problem carrying the day. I can see how this would divide some much like its done with WS and Tanzer... but everyone at our table was marvelling. Me included. I dont pretend to offer what the future holds.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyed this wine along with 9 others at our OL at Bistro Toulouse. We had the pleasure of having not one, but two, KB Cohns at the table – the 2003 and the 2004. Both were bursting with cherry and raspberry aromas, but overall the 2003 showed much better. The 2003 was smooth and elegant on the palate and definitely had the better aromatics of the two. The 2004 was an excellent wine, no doubt, but perhaps had a touch of heat on the finish. Note that the 2004 was double decanted while the 2003 was popped and poured. The 2003 was in my top 3.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had during a dinner at Pres a Vie in the Presidio in SF with a friend. Monster nose, deep concentrated red fruit, sharp acidity, long finish, opened after about 15 minutes delivering an entirely new bouquet...I love this wine, and it's my understanding that the 04' is the last vintage for the Cohn vineyard...which is unfortunate. KB is my fav 'hedonic' freefall pinot, I liken it to having sex with Pamela Anderson...a ferocious indulgence.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
the cohn is interesting because benovia has inherited the vines, and i know one of the guys involved with that project. there certainly is some strong fruit. all four had about the same flavor profiles, i.e. black cherry and some red licorice, and, of course, they all had an amped up alcohol level. yet, those levels didn't get in the way, i only mention it in passing. yeah, these are big, powerful, bold expressions of the grape, and i was somewhat hesitant to try them because of all the hype, etc., combined with my track record with these behemoth styled pinots. i'm glad to report that they are pinots, and not syrah-like, whatever you want to make of that.
all four got "better" as the evening progressed, there are plenty of tannins to allow for a good deal of aging, and i suspect that i will like these wines more after 5 years in the cellar.
so no real earth shattering revelations here, unless you want to count my liking them well enough as a point to note.coming out of that vineyard. however, i saw the cohn as a less intelectual wine than the koplen and kanzler.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hate to go against the grain, but did not show as well as I expected. Took a bottle to Michael Mina's restaurant. Came off a llittle hot. Nice fruit, nose was somewhat closed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hot and alcoholic at first, it eventually settled down in to something drinkable. Still quite thick and syrupy as KB wines tend to be, but lending some plushness to it that did not feel as though I was sucking down a sugary sweet slushy. It actually worked fairly well, surprising. One of the better KB wines I have had. 90 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We enjoyed this exquisite bottle ($125) at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel along with a Turley Hayne Zin (2003) and the 10-course tasting menu. This was a wonderful fruity concoction that burst from the glass with berries and cherries. Long finish. Got better and better as the minutes ticked by. The Zin paled in comparison - we wished we had gotten another bottle of this instead!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
OC Kosta Browne Pay It Forward Offline (Sage in Newport Beach, CA): Oh, the flamboyance of the 2004 vintage. The bouquet on this wine flies forth from the glass. Xmas cake, ripe fruit. Lots of sex. Palate wise, ripe cola, dark raspberry richness and a finish of some mocha. Pretty good, with the signature throttle of the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent, if not sublime. It's got the heat you'd expect from the alcohol and needs time to mellow...but it has very nice balance and opulent cherry and red berry flavors. Not quite as special as the Kanzler but this is a great pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
a real steal at $75, the bottle is going for much more already on the secondary market. I would have rather waited to drink until next year, the wine is still very young and 15.5% alcohol, but if I didn't order it I may have lost my chance to taste this hard to come by Pinot ever, so it was worth drinking slightly ahead of its prime. I disagree with the other note here, I found this to be floral and delicate despite the crazy high alcohol levels, and have some nice ripe red fruit, red cherries especially, on the nose and palate. The tannic structure is there, and maybe right now the alcohol isn't fully integrated. Not sure why this warrants a 96 or 97 from the Spectator. It's good, but oustanding? Not so sure...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank at The Vintage Press in Visalia, CA with my wife, parents, and brother. One word....AWESOME! Love the taste of cherry and berries. We enjoyed it with filets, venison, and salmon and then enjoyed the rest of the bottle as dessert.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great bottle of Pinot. Had it with my family at the Vintage Press (pistachio crusted Salmon), the day after Thanksgiving. Wow. I'm definitely thankful. Red fruit was strong, cherries with a hint of leather. Too bad they are no longer going to produce from this vineyard. Young, but still very very enjoyable. I have a second bottle that I'll wait on for a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Client dinner at Vic & Anthony's in Houston. Big, rich, and distinctive. A real fruit bomb (in a good way). California pinot on steroids. Could not be a bigger fan. Was a wonderful contrast to the more subtle Cayuse Callioux Syrah that preceded it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
10/21/2018 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 95 Points
funny...I've been holding onto this sucker for many years waiting to drink...was getting a bit afraid that I better drink it as it's a 14 year old domestic pinot (bought on release and kept in pristine conditions since). a little thin and disjointed the minute I opened it...gains weight and color with 10 mins of air...still changing in the glass after 4 hours...still youthful and I didn't need to be in a rush for this. nose of tea, strawberries....strawberry tea, kiwi, raspberries, spice, hints of tar, long long finish. great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2012 - wineberg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bday Dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Boomstick :) (Maison de Giggitty (aka our house)): 6+ hour decant.
This is definitely a huge, ripe, CA Pinot, and I think my palate has changed a bit since the last time I had this last New Years...this is close to overripe to me now. I've drunk a lot of wine this year... :) It's not bad by any means, just maybe starting to move away from my preferences.
Dark, very ripe fruit, cola, caught a hint of flowers this time...violets maybe, molasses, baking spices, port-like notes as I noted previously. This 15.5% alcohol is definitely present in the finish.
It's drinking well now if you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2012 - sunalsorises wrote: 92 Points
Not as good as 04 4barrel a few days before. Touch of hot on the finish. Very dense fruit. Lacking elegance but delivers a nice fruit punch.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2011 - wineberg Likes this wine: 94 Points
New Years 2012; 12/31/2011-1/1/2012: Always a great bottle. Stood up just fine next to the Cab Sauvs we had, with darker fruits, some cola, and really nice texture and smooth tannins. 4th bottle of this I've had in 2011, and they've been drinking perfectly this year I believe.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2011 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet to perhaps dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of spice, white pepper, cola, black berries and a bit of Kirsch. Flavors of berries, raspberries and cherries. Tart acidity, fairly firm tannins, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2011 - ljenk wrote: 91 Points
Still performing well. Had with 2002 Clos De Tart, 2002 Domaine Serene, 2000 Marcassin Marcassin vineyard. It was most pleasing at start of tasting from nose, body, structure standpoint. Popped & poured. After 3hrs less integrated & acetone emerging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2011 - wineberg Likes this wine: 94 Points
An excellent Pinot, right at or just past its peak. Buttery fruit on the nose, then an explosion of fruit on the palate followed by a beautiful molasses/port secondary layer. The wine is mouth coating and the finish goes on and on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2011 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 91 Points
Weekend in Paoli; 4/1/2011-4/2/2011 (Paoli, PA): Nose of sweet berries, layered red fruit, hints of black tea and spice. Soft tannins and medium acid. Bright cherries, cola. Rich but still light on its feet. Creamy finish. Tannins are softening up. I'd say drink now, but I enjoyed tasting this at this age. It was better two years ago so it's not my usual kosta browne experience, but it's still really good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2011 - wineismylife Likes this wine: 91 Points
WIML91-92
Tasted non blind. Opened and glass decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Followed over about two hours.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of Briar patch, black berries and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, Bing cherries and black raspberries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2010 - CMCLR wrote: 93 Points
Really outstanding. Drink 'em now. Can't imagine this getting better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2010 - slywka7 wrote: flawed
I opened the bottle and something seemed a little off. So I poured a glass and took a whiff. I got the smell of stewed tomatoes. So then I took a sip. Barely any fruit and it was a hot alcoholic mess. At first I thought that perhaps the bottle was past it's prime. I have always heard people say that the Kosta Browne wines can't stand the test of time. I then remembered I had a 2004 Sonoma Coast like a month ago and it was great! I did a little research online and concluded that the bottle was definitely flawed. It wasn't corked but I think it was cooked. I remember the cork had receded into the bottle a little bit, which I believe if it was cooked it would have popped out the top. Not really sure what to make of this but we were obviously all bummed out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2010 - Sweet Nancy wrote:
Over the top sweet notes with an alcohol burn on the finish. What to do with the last bottle?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2010 - LikeABC wrote:
no formal notes taken as this was enjoyed during Mother's Day dinner.
this is in a great place right now. explosive nose. classic Russian River nose of cherry, forrest floor and cola. all parts in harmony now. long silky finish.. though i did think to myself that the taste was not as sweet as the nose. i would drink this sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2010 - pjhr wrote: 92 Points
Silky smooth texture, but with ultra ripe fruit that made this seem a bit too jammy as compared to the previous bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2010 - nfafoglia wrote: 92 Points
Bright, sweet cherry cola notes on the nose. Spice and red fruit. A bit of earthiness. Medium to long finish. held up well to to filet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2009 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Tasted briefly at an offline. 15.5% ABV if memory serves. Much better than the 2000 vintage tasted alongside with bright tangy sweet black cherry fruit. Medium full bodied and rich. About an 88.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2009 - sunalsorises wrote:
Drank late at night without food after brushing teeth. Did not get much out of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2009 - cvvhrn wrote: 93 Points
Hints of cola and fruit on the nose with a palate of berries, more cola, and spice. Nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2009 - psoals wrote: 94 Points
Showing a little age with slight browning around the edge of the glass. Awesome nose of cola and spice, following through on the palate. 45 second+ finish. Sadly my only bottle from this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2009 - thomaskeil wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Violet-tinged red. Open alluring aromas with cherries and pine forest floor with peppery spice, tea and a little vanilla. Palate has quite a bit of fleshy layed dark berry fruit but is beautifully balanced by fine gritty, mineral-laced tannins and nice acidity. Lengthy, spicey aftertaste. This both set off and complimented green-egged wild king salmon with a Ranier cherry sauce.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2009 - CADomer wrote: 95 Points
Classic Kosta Browne. The nose on this wine was gorgeous with black cherries, blackberries, and black tea that begged to be smelled over and over again. The mouthfeel was as rich as the nose and mirrored the ripe cherries and berries with a hint of minerality. This bottle was open 1 hour before an hour of decanting and was singing by the time it was poured into the glass. Sad to know that this will probably be my last bottle of Kosta Browne from the Cohn Vineyard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2009 - godx wrote: 89 Points
No formal notes. Popped and poured and drank over 2 hours. This isn’t my style of Pinot. Over the top fruit, confected red berry flavours, cherry cola, rubber and medicinal notes on the nose and the booze isn’t shy either. It did get better with time, which my rating reflects. I can appreciate the quality of the fruit and the winemaking, and why many people like this, but it’s just not my thing. Drink now. Good. 86
Update on 2nd day: There was about one glass worth of wine left in the bottle, so I put the cork back in and into the fridge it went. Tonight, 24 hrs after I originally opened it, I finished those last few ounces. The wine was much better. The alcohol was more integrated, the fruit seemed less confected and more rich and pure. I would highly recommend a solid decant before drinking this wine or maybe it needs more time in the cellar. Ill be leaving my last bottle of this for a year or two. I’m increasing my score from 86 to 89. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2009 - rmodak wrote: 92 Points
This may be the best KB I have had in its ability to provide ripe raspberry fruit with density, baking spices and a long finish without being disjointed and hot. I would still drink in the short term before it loses this balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2009 - Mpoob wrote: 92 Points
Drinking very well right now. Intense fruit with a bit of fresh mushroom on both the nose. Rich and deep and on the palate. Overblown in style but a lot of fun to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2009 - AlexRed wrote: 90 Points
Took to a neighborhood party and it was enjoyed by all..., strike that, by many. someone bogarted it halfway through the bottle and we found it empty on the other side of the room behind a chair...
rather big and a little bit of heat. but still had the cherry and spice but with a little bit too much viscousity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2009 - glg wrote: 87 Points
I definitely liked this better in its youth. Even some slight age has taken away some of the power and verve but it has not been replaced by anything. Rather one dimensional. I did not find the alcohol intrusive, but I do drink these at cellar temperature. I'd be curious what I'd say on this wine if I had it blind. Not sure I'd recognize it as KB (as I have of other KB wines). Need to try an 2005 Cohn as another data point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2009 - zheem wrote:
Aromas and mouth feel were amazing, but overall a dissappointment. Simple and awkward. I would not be so critical if this weren't priced like a premier cru Burgundy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2009 - RussW wrote:
The good news is that this did not show a sweet cotton candy profile and no bubble gum. It was actually one of the less extracted KB's I have had which was a bit surprising given the vintage. The downside was a definite lack of complexity but still enjoyable although nowhere near worth the price of admission. I also found a couple of food pairings to match this with as I drank it over 2 nights. Night 1 rotisserie smoked chicken wings dipped in a simple BBQ sauce, Night 2 grilled ground chuck hamburger with steak fries. Not your normal pinot fair but certainly speaks to how big these wines are.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2009 - dbkitc wrote: 85 Points
So…..I am beginning to think I like these wines best when they are young and explosive. With a touch of age, they seem out of balance with the alcohol coming to the fore. This did integrate a bit after 2 hours…..so maybe just a bad phase. I tend to like elegance and finesse first and these are my occasional venture to the dark side – might not be going back for a while… (85+????)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2009 - Cellar Keeper wrote:
This needed a 2hr decant. Now it's singing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2009 - JFish wrote:
My wife asked if the bottle was ok. I replied it seemed fine to me. She said it tasted like cherry cough syrup. And she was not far off. It was heavy, almost syrupy, and had a bit of heat on the finish with a taste predominately of cherry pie with some baking spices. What has happened to my palate? I really used to like these wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2009 - pjhr wrote: 96 Points
SimilarTN's to previous bottle. The silky creamy texture made this one go down all too fast!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2009 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Drank this with some mild-ish Thai food. Maybe not the best pairing but I found the wine a bit heavy, some brown spice notes. I did not get heat, which some have suggested they found.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2009 - hkfoebee wrote:
Typical KB SV. Dark, Big and Bold, a bit on the hot side. Not sure if I like this style anymore...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2008 - Mike V wrote: 87 Points
off bottle and not consistent with previous examples. Short and simple. Sweet to a fault. ? Just in a bad place ?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2008 - budman wrote: 93 Points
Hitting on all cylinders, with cherries and spice dominant. Consensus WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2008 - Sweet Nancy wrote:
Big Pinot with dark cherry and cola notes. Smooth at cellar temperature but a bit high in alcohol (hot) when it warmed up. 15.5% alcohol is a little high for my taste. First of four bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2008 - budman wrote: 93 Points
Explosive.... in a good way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2008 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Amazing wine. Cherry and spice all the way through. One of the heaviest pinots I've tasted,
but not over-the-top.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2008 - Screameagle wrote: 91 Points
Definitely in it's prime now this is a very nice pinot that Joan enjoyed more than I. A very unique pinot that is hard to describe this is definitely a very nice wine. Kudo's Michael for making such a great pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2008 - rmodak wrote: 92 Points
Very well made wine that manages to balance its rich black cherry fruit with clove, vanilla and fine tannins. All of the components are well balanced and the wine manages to conceal its alcohol, despite its heft. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2008 - zheem wrote:
Whoa! The nose was typical RRV spice and fruit with a little caramel, but the flavors kept unrolling through fruit-esp cherry, bitter chocolate, cola. Very delicious, but hard to know how it will hold up as other KB's have peaked and dropped suddenly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2008 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Wow!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2008 - jheathw wrote: 94 Points
This was opened after the 2006 SC (popped and poured) and showed more depth/a broader range of flavors on the palate. Black cherry and tea with a long spicy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2008 - Cheryl wrote:
California Pinots: Old and Young (Philadelphia): I really enjoyed this, but it didn't compare to the aged wines on the table. Someone noted that this had a candied note. It had a lovely long finish. I think it was just too young and I didn't have the opportunity to decant earlier in the day. I'm having it now and, on day two, there are less disparate parts and more integration. There is some obvious alcohol on this, but its really lovely. If you have the will power, wait on this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2008 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
DWDG February 2008 (Hector's on Henderson): WIML91. Tasted February 20, 2008. Opened and decanted about 2 hours before double decanting back into the bottle for transport to the restaurant. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of toasted caramel with some graham crackers, dark roasted fruits, cinnamon and white pepper. Hint of currants on the palate up front followed by some stewed plums and black cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Drink now with 2-3 hours in the decanter or continue to hold. I'll likely extended the drinking window on my two remaining bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2008 - pjhr wrote: 96 Points
Delicious explosion of raspberry and black cherry aromas with oak and vanilla flavors, with incredibly long long tasty finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2008 - CMCLR wrote: 90 Points
Lush mouthfeel, but quite closed and not revealing much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2007 - Seanr7 wrote: 94 Points
Very dark Pinot with an over the top nose of Raspberry, cherry and Cola. Decanted for 2+ hours and this wine was singing. Layers of flavor from Dark fruit to Cola to spice with a bit of an earthy profile, the finish went on for over 45 seconds and only got better as time went on. Would recomend a long decant or several more years in bottle befor opening one. This was everyones WOTN to bad it was my only one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2007 - Screameagle wrote: 92 Points
Surprising mature. Starts with an expressive nose. A very tasty pinot that seems to be developing secondary nuances already. Will be interesting to see how this pinot develops further. Sure is tasty now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2007 - DukeDrew wrote: 94 Points
What a bottle of wine. Color was a very dark red and the nose was over-the-top, with heavy cherry, raspberry and lighter strawberry notes. Over the first hour, the wine settled down quite a bit, but left us with dark cherry flavors and a little spice, with a very syrupy texture. Finish was great, but everyone commented there was definitely some heat on the end (not due to serving temp). Paired with pan-seared pork chops with a cherry/pinot noir reduction sauce, so we were in heaven. Not sure I see the 97 upside on this (given the heat and syrup) but I definitely didn't think this was an 85.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2007 - Jody Smith wrote: 94 Points
First pour was backward and faintly reductive. Walking the fine line between protective winemaking, and overzealous exclusion of oxygen. In my experience, that's usually a sign of good things to come. The reductive smell blew off after 10 minutes and within 30, the wine started to unfurl. An hour and 15 minutes in, the wine evolved considerably. The bouquet was all strawberries and cream, although I found that the oak lacked integration – the strawberries and vanillin were disparate parts. Needs a year or two to resolve. A delicious mouthful of chocolate covered raisins, exotic red fruit, asphalt and chalk. A little more acid would bring welcome balance. The tannins are fine and talc like, lending a velvety mouth feel and persistent finish. Lacks the tell-tale floral aromas / elusiveness typical of pinot, and the faint minerality present would've led me to incorrectly identify the wine as a Dry Creek Turley had I tasted it blind. Short on grace, long on fun.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2007 - lorenzo wrote: 93 Points
To say that I am surpised by Parker's statements on these wines... is an understatement. Paired this tonight with Grilled Wild King Salmon, grilled veggies and a pasta arrabiata(homegrown) . Bigger Pinot seemed to fit the bill. Decanted 60min. Discussion ensued at dinner regarding Parker's comments... what he did and didnt say vis a vis these wines (and this one in particular.)
To me, this was not as large scaled as I remember it during the last outing. But it was still bursting with flavor and certainly on the more luscious side of Pinots. It is a fair criticism and an accurate description of the wine I had to say that the back half/finish of this wine is dominated by acidity. It is penetrating and lingering. But for me, it makes this both (more) food friendly and keeps it from being oppessive. Is this Opulent? I'd say most definitely yes. It is bursting with flavor, liquer of rasberries and super ripe cherries. Old world (pinot) palates most certainly may object. But Parker? Its not that Parker disliked them (I dont need validation for my palate) but the words/descriptions that were attributed to him. Parker's descripton deviates from Tanzer, WS and shared experiences here. Followed up with an RP 85 rating for this... on the 'new' WA scoring scale (unless its in Italy) thats like a 70. Has the WA jumped the shark?
Wow. I guess the KB mailing list wont be bumrushed with new inquiries. Good news for some.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2007 - Greg Pierce wrote:
Decided to pop this tonite in light of the uproar on eBob re RP's informal notes on the KB SVDs:
Transparent, deep purple unto garnet. Not giving much on the nose at first, a litlle dark fruit & cranberry (?). As time went on, it seemed to open some (on the nose) and give some cola and spice notes. On the palate, at first the wine was a huge Cali pinot with red fruits and cola/mocha. As it sat, it developed more in the red fruit/acidic range of pinot. Frankly, very nice and unexpected in light of past experience with KB's being mostly on the big, fruity, cola/mocha end of pinot. Overall, a delicious and interesting wine. I'm very happy that I'm on their list.
Also, in interest of full palate tilting disclosure -- I'm of the Burgundy = God school of pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2007 - buckeye76 wrote: 95 Points
BIG CHERRY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. LOTS OF UPFRONT FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR WITH NICE COMPLEXITY AND A LONG FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2007 - DarkStar1974 wrote: 96 Points
Decanted for 3 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2007 - shaferguy91 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Great nose, delicious lush dark cherry fruit and a nice long finish. Well done !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2007 - lorenzo wrote: 95 Points
Explosive and lucious Rasberries and ripe cherries. Syrupy, Large and very juicy. But I still find this wine balanced with underlying minerality and mediterranean herbs. Defitinely some precense of wood, but the fruit has no problem carrying the day. I can see how this would divide some much like its done with WS and Tanzer... but everyone at our table was marvelling. Me included. I dont pretend to offer what the future holds.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2007 - scofer wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed this wine along with 9 others at our OL at Bistro Toulouse. We had the pleasure of having not one, but two, KB Cohns at the table – the 2003 and the 2004. Both were bursting with cherry and raspberry aromas, but overall the 2003 showed much better. The 2003 was smooth and elegant on the palate and definitely had the better aromatics of the two. The 2004 was an excellent wine, no doubt, but perhaps had a touch of heat on the finish. Note that the 2004 was double decanted while the 2003 was popped and poured. The 2003 was in my top 3.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2007 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Superb
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2007 - The Epicurean wrote: 96 Points
Had during a dinner at Pres a Vie in the Presidio in SF with a friend. Monster nose, deep concentrated red fruit, sharp acidity, long finish, opened after about 15 minutes delivering an entirely new bouquet...I love this wine, and it's my understanding that the 04' is the last vintage for the Cohn vineyard...which is unfortunate. KB is my fav 'hedonic' freefall pinot, I liken it to having sex with Pamela Anderson...a ferocious indulgence.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2007 - jeff nowak wrote: 90 Points
the cohn is interesting because benovia has inherited the vines, and i know one of the guys involved with that project. there certainly is some strong fruit. all four had about the same flavor profiles, i.e. black cherry and some red licorice, and, of course, they all had an amped up alcohol level. yet, those levels didn't get in the way, i only mention it in passing. yeah, these are big, powerful, bold expressions of the grape, and i was somewhat hesitant to try them because of all the hype, etc., combined with my track record with these behemoth styled pinots. i'm glad to report that they are pinots, and not syrah-like, whatever you want to make of that.
all four got "better" as the evening progressed, there are plenty of tannins to allow for a good deal of aging, and i suspect that i will like these wines more after 5 years in the cellar.
so no real earth shattering revelations here, unless you want to count my liking them well enough as a point to note.coming out of that vineyard. however, i saw the cohn as a less intelectual wine than the koplen and kanzler.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2007 - smokie wrote: 91 Points
Hate to go against the grain, but did not show as well as I expected. Took a bottle to Michael Mina's restaurant. Came off a llittle hot. Nice fruit, nose was somewhat closed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2007 - Pool Boy wrote: 90 Points
Hot and alcoholic at first, it eventually settled down in to something drinkable. Still quite thick and syrupy as KB wines tend to be, but lending some plushness to it that did not feel as though I was sucking down a sugary sweet slushy. It actually worked fairly well, surprising. One of the better KB wines I have had. 90 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2007 - sgclevenger wrote: 97 Points
We enjoyed this exquisite bottle ($125) at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel along with a Turley Hayne Zin (2003) and the 10-course tasting menu. This was a wonderful fruity concoction that burst from the glass with berries and cherries. Long finish. Got better and better as the minutes ticked by. The Zin paled in comparison - we wished we had gotten another bottle of this instead!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2007 - sunalsorises wrote: 96 Points
Great balance. Hardly noticed the high alcohol. Layers of fruit with tannic notes on the finish. Very smooth. Excellent wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2007 - Frank Murray III wrote:
OC Kosta Browne Pay It Forward Offline (Sage in Newport Beach, CA): Oh, the flamboyance of the 2004 vintage. The bouquet on this wine flies forth from the glass. Xmas cake, ripe fruit. Lots of sex. Palate wise, ripe cola, dark raspberry richness and a finish of some mocha. Pretty good, with the signature throttle of the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2007 - ScottS wrote:
50+5+13+16+7=91 pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2006 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Cherry on the nose, and on the palate. Awesome mouthfeel, and one of the smoothest wines I've ever tasted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2006 - nvandyk wrote: 94 Points
Excellent, if not sublime. It's got the heat you'd expect from the alcohol and needs time to mellow...but it has very nice balance and opulent cherry and red berry flavors. Not quite as special as the Kanzler but this is a great pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2006 - olivethegreat wrote: 90 Points
a real steal at $75, the bottle is going for much more already on the secondary market. I would have rather waited to drink until next year, the wine is still very young and 15.5% alcohol, but if I didn't order it I may have lost my chance to taste this hard to come by Pinot ever, so it was worth drinking slightly ahead of its prime. I disagree with the other note here, I found this to be floral and delicate despite the crazy high alcohol levels, and have some nice ripe red fruit, red cherries especially, on the nose and palate. The tannic structure is there, and maybe right now the alcohol isn't fully integrated. Not sure why this warrants a 96 or 97 from the Spectator. It's good, but oustanding? Not so sure...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2006 - CRAUBER4242 wrote: 97 Points
Drank at The Vintage Press in Visalia, CA with my wife, parents, and brother. One word....AWESOME! Love the taste of cherry and berries. We enjoyed it with filets, venison, and salmon and then enjoyed the rest of the bottle as dessert.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2006 - CADomer wrote: 95 Points
Great bottle of Pinot. Had it with my family at the Vintage Press (pistachio crusted Salmon), the day after Thanksgiving. Wow. I'm definitely thankful. Red fruit was strong, cherries with a hint of leather. Too bad they are no longer going to produce from this vineyard. Young, but still very very enjoyable. I have a second bottle that I'll wait on for a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2006 - hamiltonc wrote: 96 Points
Client dinner at Vic & Anthony's in Houston. Big, rich, and distinctive. A real fruit bomb (in a good way). California pinot on steroids. Could not be a bigger fan. Was a wonderful contrast to the more subtle Cayuse Callioux Syrah that preceded it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment