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2005 Kosta Browne Wine Dinner
Antonello Ristorante - Costa Mesa, CA
Tasted April 19, 2008 by Paul Lin with 1,309 views
Flight 1 - Hors d'oeuvres (6 notes)
Focaccia di Recco - Baked paper thin focaccia sheets filled with imported Italian cheese
Spiedino di Mozzarella - Fresh red and yellow cherry tomatoes with fresh basil and pearl sized mozzarella on a bamboo skewer
Capesante alla Erbe - Seared scallops served over olive oil and fresh herbs
Rosé
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosé
91 points
A graceful wine with alluring notes of ripe strawberries, raspberry jam, cocoa powder, and toffee. Balanced and drinking quite impressively right now.
Rosé
2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosé
85 points
A simple Rosé, with bright strawberry and watermelon fruit on the attack. The flavors seem a bit underdeveloped beyond the midpalate, however, and the finish is a bit austere.
Rosé
2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosé
88 points
Pleasant notes strawberry mousse, strawberry jam, citrus rind. Rich and creamy yet zesty on the finish. An affable Rosé.
White
2003 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard
90 points
An excellent wine with laser-like intensity. Notes lemon curd, kumquat, roasted almonds, and crushed minerals. This is the Jackie Warner of Chardonnays.
White
2004 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
91 points
A complex and layered Chardonnay. Aromas of unripe pineapples, nectarines, almond slivers, and hazelnuts are followed by a silky palate of ripe tropical fruits. This is a wine that leaves you wanting more.
White
2005 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate
86 points
Pungent earth and animal greet the nose on this one, but the palate reveals some very interesting, if restrained, notes of wet stones, white flowers, chalk, and lime. A very gaunt Chardonnay.
Flight 2 - First Course - Insalata di Pomodoro Rape e Burrata (2 notes)
Tomatoes and roasted beets tossed together with extra virgin olive oil and oregano topped with fresh burrata and drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
91 points
Notes of black cherries, black raspberries, strawberry jam, and vanilla cream. Lush on the palate with a long caressing finish. 91-92 points.
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard
90 points
This wine shows itself to be a big more structured and, dare I say, more masculine than the Rosella's. Aromas of cola, black cherries, cocoa power, and orange liqueur are followed by black cherries, spice, sassafras, and minerals. Tingling acidity provides some lift on the finish. 89-90 points.
Flight 3 - Second Course - Carpaccio di Cinghiale Pepato e Affumicato (2 notes)
Thin slices of peppered and lightly smoked wild Boar drizzled with truffle infused olive oil topped with baby mixed salad
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
89 points
Brown sugar, pomegranate, and black cherries on the nose. On the palate, black raspberries, black cherries, and rhubarb. A touch of heat slightly mars the finish.
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Miron
92 points
Only 90 cases produced and a one-off wine for KB. My notes say "decadent," "silky," and "lush." This wine is all that and more. Notes of black raspberries, cherry liqueur, milk chocolate, and brown spices. Interesting contrapuntal note of crushed minerals on the finish. A complex and layered Pinot that deserves to be slowly savored. Tied with the 4 Barrel as my #2 WOTN. 92-93 points.
Flight 4 - Third Course - Risotto al Funghi Porcini AND Ravioli d’Anatra al Sugo di Coda di Bue (2 notes)
Italian Arborio Rice cooked with diced Onions, Shallots and thinly sliced Porcini Mushrooms topped with grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese AND
Home made ravioli filled with smoked breast of duck and ox tail reduction
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
90 points
Aromas of sweet raspberries and cola are followed by notes of black cherries, ripe strawberries, wet soil, and sassafras. A touch of caramel on the finish. Surprisingly, this wine seemed to work a little better with food than on its own.
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard
91 points
The wine showed the most red fruits of all the KBs we tasted that evening. Bright aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, and black cherries. On the palate, sweet raspberry puree, rhubarb, and crushed minerals. Silky mouthfeel is marred by a touch of heat on the finish. 90-91 points.
Flight 5 - Fourth Course - Salmone con Salsa di Zenzaro (2 notes)
Grilled filet of wild King Salmon topped with spicy ginger garlic sauce
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard
90 points
Notes of black raspberries, strawberry jam, and black cherries. I enjoyed this wine very much, but in the context of its siblings, it was not as memorable. This is the Jan Brady of the KB bunch.
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard
94 points
This wine is an absolute knockout! Dramatic aromas of boysenberries, black cherries, and something like Black Forest cake. The palate struts voluptuous notes of black raspberries, black cherries, and with air some blueberries and plum. Sexy and seductive, this wine was a clear favorite and my #1 WOTN. 94-95 points.
Flight 6 - Fifth Course - Costolette d’Agnello al Rosmarino (2 notes)
Grilled New Zealand baby lamb chops, served with shallots, brandy, fresh rosemary sauce
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard
92 points
Dense aromas of back raspberries, black cherries, and hard spices followed by clean and pure cherry fruit on the palate with shadings of wet soil and sassafras. Creamy texture and a long silky finish. Michael Browne said he had a tough time with this wine, but it seems whatever wrinkles there were have been completely smoothed out. A seamless wine.
Red
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel
92 points
Begins a little meaty on the nose with additional notes of reduced cherries, strawberry jam, and teriyaki sauce. With extended aeration, however, the wine blossoms with bold notes of raspberry puree, strawberry jam, black cherries, and spice. The palate mirrors the nose. The finish is long and rich. Tied with the Miron as my #2 WOTN. 92-93 points.
Flight 7 - Dolce - Tortino al Ciocolate (2 notes)
Rich warm flourless Chocolate Soufflé Cake filled with a warm Chocolate Sauce
White - Sweet/Dessert
2003 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man
92 points
A really delicious dessert wine that was dense without being too heavy. Notes of honey, baking spices, candied pecans, and dried apricots followed by brown sugar, baked peaches, and marzipan on the palate. While delicate in the mouth, I do think it could have benefitted from a bit more acidity. 92-93 points.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2006 Holdredge Pinot Gris Grace's Cuvée
87 points
Notes of spiced pear, lychee, and guava marmalade. A bit cloying and in desperate need of more acidity. 87-88 points.