Freemans Cave

• Disclaimer: I will be making 150 cases of Pinot Noir under the direction of Michael Browne of Kosta Browne in 2005 from Amber Ridge Vineyard under the label KUTCH.
  

Well what can I say: I finally shook the hand of Michael Browne who was instrumental in changing my life and helping me follow my dream. Michael is giving me the opportunity to make my own wine this coming crush. After moving to Cali. over Memorial day from NYC, there just hasn't been a free moment to meet Michael - that was until yesterday when Ed Kurzman of August West picked me up and drove me to Freemans Cave in Sebastopol (Russian River) where Ed and Michael make some of the best damn Pinots in all of California.

Michael Browne is the winemaker for Kosta Browne and Deerfield Ranch Winery (which is made at another facility) and Ed Kurtzman makes August West and Freeman Wines for Ken Freeman. Ken, the owner of Freemans Cave allowed about 30 of us to literally party like no tomorrow in his newly constructed cave and the day was an experience I will never forget.

I caught a ride up early with Ed to give a hand setting up tables, chairs, cleaning glasses etc. I even got behind the wheel of their fork lift as Michael said their is no better time than the present to learn. The cave was spectacular and no corners were cut in the construction. It was huge and in the shape of a horse shoe with the top of the shoes being met in the middle. Michael had much of the cave set up the night prior and I could tell it was going to be awesome.

A little history for you Cali Pinot buffs out there - on the trip home in conversation with Ed, I mentioned how the best aged Cali. Pinot I had ever tasted was the 1985 William Selyem Rochioli. Ed told me that the first 2 vintages of William Selyem were made at the same facility we were at today - 1984, & 1985. I got the chills after hearing that.

The day was perfect for a tasting and it was thanks to Greg Piatigorski of Alcina Cellars that this event was a possibility. Greg and his wife Rita organized the day with food and a great group of passionate Wine Lovers. There were many familiar faces & several from EBob. John Oglesby was the cook for the day and the Salmon, Pork, Beef, and Bass were all amazing.

Attendees as follows (I apologize if I missed anyone):

• Paul Galli
  
• Alan Rath
  
• Christine Huang
  
• Al Osterheld
  
• John Oglesby
  
• Ken Zinns
  
• Mark Ketcham
  
• Mike Richards
  
• Greg Piatigorski
  
• Rita Piatigorski
  
• Nancy McCray
  
• Leonard Maran
  
• Gregory Walter
  
• Eric Lundblad
  
• Don Weimann
  
• Bill Dowling
  
• Angela Lim
  
• Alan Garretson
  
• Sean Taheri
  
• Michael Browne
  
• Ken Freeman
  
• Akiki Freeman
  
• Ed Kurtzman
  

The tasting kicked off with two different tables of wine. The “Bring a Bottle” table which was a smorgasbord of wines that people brought along, and a table with Ed Kurtzman's August West, Ed Freemans Freemans wine, & Michael Browne and Dan Kostas Kosta Browne wines. Below are some notes I took throughout the day. I ended up drinking more than I should have (as I was just damn happy) so take the notes with a grain of salt. And to think, there was no talk of politics even with Paul Galli's shirt (close-up).

• 2003 Freeman - Sonoma Coast
  Amazing nose of toasted oak and cherry pie. Hints of medium cherry on the palate and a light clean delicate and lightly spiced finish. This is a wine look forward to tasting again. Delicious.
  
• 2003 Freeman - Akikos Cuveee
  This was a blend of 86% Meredith 14% Dutton Pinot. And had 86% new oak. 14.2 Alc. Very sensual and delicate again, the winemaker shows through in these two wines. Light as a feather with clean cherry notes and cedar shingles. Wonderful clean and long finish.
  
• 2003 August West - Rosellas Vineyard
  This wine never disappoints. Fine aromatic red fruits nose. Ripe raspberry/cherry nuances. Palate has fresh bright ripe cherry with a clean mid palate showing layers upon layers. You can't have enough of this wine The finish just goes on and on.
  
• 2003 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard
  Delicious & perfectly balanced. Amazing concentration. Dark cherry pie with integrated oak. The never ending story finish. Just a blockbuster. If you like Kosta Browne you will literally want to empty your savings bank for this wine. Like a ripe cherry just picked from a tree.
  Insatiable. A Grand Overture in finish.
  
• 2003 Kosta Browne - Kanzler Vineyard
  Amazing aromatics. The wine screams of concentration. Dark and deep with layers & layers of ripe fruit. This was the wine that introduced me to Kosta Browne from their 2002 vintage and after tasting it I called Michael Browne praising him. I said you arte living my dream and he said come out and live it too.
  
• 2003 Kosta Browne Santa Lucia Highlands
  My oh my. Clean and balanced - I must confess that I have a soft spot for the SLH region from tasting so many Loring's, A.P. Vin's, and Siduri wines. This doesn't suck. With its ripe fruit flavors and slight spice. Again the concentration is OFF THE CHARTS!!
  

At this point, I stolled over to the other table to taste some wines others brought at this point.

Some notable wines were:

• 2002 Castalia - Rochioli Vineyard
  Black cherry, raspberry, deep and full of layered flavors.
  
• 2003 Sonnet - Amber Ridge Vineyard
  Delicious sweet red fruit. Red cherry and strawberry. I brought this wine as Sonnet is the only winery who vineyard designated this vineyard in 2003. It was an incredible good wine and I was thrilled with the quality. Michael Browne has used this vineyard to blend with in the past but in 2004 will be vineyard designating it along with David Dain Smith, & possible Siduri who also receives Amber Ridge fruit.
  
• 2003 Peay - Sonoma Coast
  Slightly drying with the fruit well hidden from the tannins. I think needs time and should have been in a decanter. Christine picked up some
  Coffee & Espresso notes.
  
• 2000 Siduri - Santa Lucia Highlands
  Awesome. Incredible with some time in bottle. A real treat and one of my favorites of the day. Totally typical SLH style with ripe fruit and light cola/spice. If you have never had a Santa Lucia Highlands wine, you are missing out.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne - Dutton Manzana Vineyard from Magnum / Barrel Sample:
  2 barrel blend of 115 Pomard & 100% whole cluster.
  Delicious blackberry and asian tea. This is a blending wine. Great learning experience and a terrific deep wine.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard
  3 barrel Blend - Barrel Sample 115 & 667 pommard.
  Big beastly thick but totally balanced. Layered with bold huge fruit. So sweet and good. I love Kanzler.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne Syrah Darian Vineyard Barrel Sample
  Ohh Myy Goshh - if you think Michael makes good Pinot, wait till you his Syrah. A blockbuster and potentially my favorite wine of the day. Dark like night and sweet like candy. With voluptuous style and a finish that takes longer to end than the Star Wars Trilogy. I think a lucky few on the mailing list will be offered this wine. I might be wrong though as at this point I was having so much fun, my notes began to suffer.
  

Michael took Christine Huang, Alan Rath, and myself deeper into the cave for some tasting's direct from the barrel's. I was stoked as finally I would taste what the Amber Ridge from Kosta Browne would be like. We tasted the three clones that Michael gets from from Amber Ridge - 115, 667, & 777. After tasting each one separate, we blended the three for an absolutely stunning wine. Below are the notes:

• 2004 Kosta Browne - Amber Ridge Barrel Sample
  115 Clone neutral barrel. Bright fruit and very luscious. Incredible mid palate with a short finish.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne - Amber Ridge Barrel Sample
  667 Clone neutral barrel. Palate is thicker and you get a lot more fruit and taste on the back end. Darker fruit with that Kosta Browne finish that just never ends.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne - Amber Ridge Vineyard Barrel Sample
  777 Hungarian barrel. Slightly more earthy and with some hints of Spice. Great mouth feel.
  
• 2004 Kosta Browne - Amber Ridge Vineyard Barrel Blend
  115, 667, & 777 BLENDED IN MY GLASS!!! Totally Intense mouth feel and the above nuances seal the deal for a spectacular wine. Absolutely amazing - rich and hedonistic. I was shaking I was so excited tasting it for the first time. Thank you Michael.
  

I walked around to the other side of the cave where I found a group of people Barrel sampling with Ken Freeman (wearing the cowboy hat). Man this was fun (Mark Ketchum left, Ken Freeman center, Christine Huang right). Just look at the size of my smile.

• 2004 Freeman - Bailey Vineyard Barrel Sample
  (Used to blend into Freemans Sonoma coast) Sweet fruit. Black fruit, tea floral.
  
• 2004 Freemans - Thomas Road / Bailey Vineyard Barrel Sample
  (Used to Blend into Freemans Sonoma Coast) Started off with mushrooms and some mild toast. Delicious and sweet fruit with hints of earth. Yumm. This was really good.
  
• 2004 Freemans - Meridith Vineyard Barrel Sample:
  Dark cherry little hopped up tea.
  
• 2004 Freemans - Sauci Vinyard Barrel Sample
  (Used to Blend into Freemans Sonoma Coast) Rich thick great mid palate. Nice stronger acidity.
  
• 2004 August West Rosellas Syrah Barrel Sample
  Great depth and nice tannins. 50 cases only and strictly for mailing list customers. Absolutely amazing. One of the top wines tasted today. You better start calling, emailing, and begging now for some of this wine..
  
• 2004 Freeman - Ray Hill Vineyard Barrel Sample
  Delicious ripe fruit. Dark cherry. Amazing long sticky finish. Hanging on the side of my palate.
  

We finished the day with some cigars. Christine Huang & Paul Galli sure were enjoying themselves while Greg told Russian jokes in Russian. Michael Browne was kicking back with a Coors Light (left) & chatting with (right) John Oglesby who was the chef for the day. I was busy keeping the ladies smiling.

Thank you to all who made this event so special. I had an incredible time and continue to be BLOWN AWAY from the kindness that people who love wine share amongst each another. Michael Browne and Ed Kurtzman - you are my hero's and I look forward to learning from you as your wines are utterly amazing. If you are not on their mailing list, you are not drinking the best Pinot Noirs in California. PERIOD!!

- Jamie