September 14, 2012 - This is at its peak (from our cellar). Huge California pinot, in-your-face, but still tastes like pinot rather than,say, syrah.... lots of fun, well balanced even with its high alcohol... aw hell, what's not to like? If'n you want subtlety, go elsewhere... :)
October 25, 2011 - We found this Pinot to be a bit weak. It's very jammie for a Pinot. It doesn't have classic Pinot qualities. My wife loved it because it was Jammie. She ranked it a 91 and I gave it a 88
July 7, 2010 - This pinot has evolved into a beautiful pinot that is now ready to drink and should last for at least another 3 years. Sadly just one bottle left.
April 10, 2010 - Saturdays at One - Volume 17: WIML90?
Opened and decanted for about an hour and a half, double decanted back into the bottle and then served around the five hour mark. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of roses, Kirsch, talc and berries. Flavors of berries and cherries. Little light on the palate compared to the previous bottle. Light to medium acidity, resolved tannins, medium body. Drink now. Definitely better than the 2003 Koplen we had last week. My last bottle.
April 10, 2010 - The nose had cherry and spice, mushroom, wet leaves, and vanilla. The palate juicy and sweet, with earth, cherry, mushroom, and a nice vanilla finish.
January 14, 2010 - Much different from my first bottle 5 years ago. Agree with bourbon notes. Dark thick and brooding. Not much on the nose. Hot with great fruit on the palate.
November 15, 2009 - Enjoyed this one at John Ash & Co. with my family and an '07 KB Amber Ridge. Was great to drink these two wines side by side. We decanted the '03 for an hour before jumping into it. It was deep and dark and in that earlier and more luscious KB style, but very very good. Still had a ton of youthful fruit on both the nose and the palate. I was both pleased and impressed that this wine had so much life in it and so much enjoyment to give.
October 31, 2009 - Showing big style but definite Pinot characteristics. Shared with many at a seasonal party so no detailed tasting note.
May 31, 2009 - Last night Traci cooked a parmesan crusted pork chop with roasted sweet potato and steamed broccoli. She also decided to serve this blind to me and in Riedel Extreme Cab glasses to throw me off a little. Initially I took the bait and said this tasted like Cab...well it did. The nose was initially fairly shy but a little coaxing started to show some red currant and a little cedar. The palate was also showing plenty of red fruit but seemed to lack the tannin that I would expect from a Cab throwing my initial thought into doubt.
I continue to swirl sniff and taste to figure it out and it was becoming apparent this was a Pinot Noir although fairly tough to figure out from where. The nose started to show more red currants, some anise and a little bit of underbrush (traci also felt a little bit of heat but I didn't notice it). The palate was a little chalky with more red fruits, a little wet stone quality, a little chocolate/spice from the oak (the oak showed a little but was not obtrusive/offensive in any way). Still a little young tasting but given the fruit forward nature of the wine, I felt it was possibly a 2006 Pinot Noir. Not from SLH or Santa Rita Hills - lacked the citrus I get from SLH and the bitterness I get from SRHills. But didn't scream RRV or SC either...now I know why since this is a blend of vineyards from the Sonoma Coast (really Petaluma Gap) and the RRV. In all, a very good wine that just doesn't quite have the complexity to hit the 90's - at least that bottle. I did have a bottle earlier in the year that was a couple points better.
Disclaimer: I worked at Kosta Browne for 1 1/2 years and still consider Dan & Michael friends.
May 22, 2009 - Appealing, sophisticated nose of cola, black and red fruits, planky oak, anise, a little stony earth and spice cake. Full and silky on the palate with dense black raspberry fruit, a briary edge and an interesting stony element. The spicy finish shows a nice grip and acid spine with just the very slightest heat. Not a style I seek out but very well executed. Drink now before the alcohol becomes more noticeable.