The oldest Kosta Browne I have drunk. Kind of sumptuous, with deep dark black cherry tones with hints of cola. No heat at all, and this wine has retained its rich color without looking at all diluted. Hints of candied orange or pomegranate give the wine a slightly tangy finish, which just doesn't want to end. This is in its window and not getting better, imho. Still lovely, but I'd drink 'em if I got 'em.
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Who says Kosta Browne pinots don't age well. If I was asked to describe this wine in one word I would say "Velvet". No rush to drink remaining bottle. A monumental effort.
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Tasted briefly at an offline. This was showing quite similar to a Kosta Browne '04 Cohn vineyard tasted alongside with tangy black cherry fruit. Medium bodied. Classy Cali Pinot.
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Now finishing its 7th year, it is a treat to sample a KB with this kind of age. Not too many around these days. First, the color had slight bricking on the edge, but still a vibrant reddish purple and very much on the lighter side compared with later versions of this cuvee. The fruit was much more subdued on the nose giving way to a dusty rose, clove, wet forest floor, and then a very precise dose of strawberry, cherry cola, and toasted vanilla oak flavors. Not a hard edge anywhere. Light body, but complex finish. As is often seen in early KB stuff, bordering on hot (don't know what the alcohol was but must be around 15%). The fact is I think this wine has evolved beautifully, is drinking beautifully, and has several good years ahead of it. Stylistically more old world for sure. This was from my cellar. Drank with Mike Farwell of Noir Food and Wine in Pasadena CA, who graciously pulled a 2005 AP Vin Turner from his stock to share with myself and my date. I am nuts for Andrew's Turner (and my date).....
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Initial Impression: muted nose, sweet and a little bitter at first. I can sense the elements within and will let it breathe deeply for a while.
45 minutes: smooths out nicely to a combination of cola and tart cherries. Quite pleasant with a reasonable finish, but doesn't strike me as being anything terrific. Maybe it's just me.
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Wow..an 82!? While this is not my favorite of the KB Kanzler's, I had to try it again after that harsh rating. I don't get it...I thought it had a great, long finish and nice complexity. Paired it with some moroccan-spiced lamb--perfect! Standing alone, I found deep berry nose (maybe a hint of peach or apricot too), and a smooth mouth-feel that tasted exactly like a rich pinot should. This is a typically lush California pinot, much bigger than some others, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
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OK, maybe it is me but after drinking this among a few otehr Cali PN's I am scratching my head wondering what the fuss is all about. This wine rated last among the other 3 Pinots from the same vintage (W-S RRV, Dehlinger Estate, Copain). All wines were double decanted and all consumed about 1 hour after opening.
It had decent aromatics and was a bright red in the glass but it drank hot which was surprising after the air time and decant. I know this place is the rave of many and perhaps it is just a style that I am not crazy about but would class KB that differently from the otehrd tried that night. Perhaps a flawed bottle but I do not think so. In my opinion only, this has terrible QPR and this wine in particular left me teribly underwhelmed (I am sure I expected alot more too which doesn't help)
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Took a few minutes to reveal its depth and character. Very long finish and great balance for an almost 15% alcohol pinot. Still had plently left for the future. I look forward to this wine's development.
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Compared to my previous tasting notes, this is still a nice pinot, but it is missing some of the silky texture on the palate and the depth of fruit and complex spice that made it outstanding a few years ago. I don't see this improving with any more aging, so if you have a bottle, drink up.
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This is still drinking nicely but not as well as the bottle opened 2 months ago. If you have any I would recommend pulling corks. I have to wonder how well these wines are going to age as they seem to be made in a style for relatively early consumption.
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Was the very firsr KB I owned and have held since I bought it at from Michael when I visited KB for the first time. The wine shows a hint of brett, which is the same feature I recall the 2002 KB SC showing when we had it in the backyard here with Michael in 2006. A leathery/saddle note is also part of the nose but for me, it's brett. Juicy black cherry and even a bit syrupy with some more bretty notes on the finish. Disappointing for me.
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Wow...what a difference a bottle makes. This was the third bottle I have opened. The first was opened in 2/06 and reflecting on that bottle it was off as the wine was just not showing anything. The last bottle I had in 12/06 was drinking much better but not at the lofty heights many had described experiencing. This bottle however was drinking magnificently. Everything about the wine was well balanced with a soaring nose of asian spice and red fruit. The palate was full and although rich not cumbersome or flabby. Lots of delicious strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit that leads to a lengthy finish of spicey red fruit and some supporting acidity. If this is what happens to Kanzler fruit with some age then I need to rethink my view on this vineyard. If you have some I would not hesitate to open a bottle. I have one left and will probably drink it next spring.
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Tasted November 6, 2007. Opened and decanted 1-2 hours before serving. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light nose and palate of black cherries, black berries, a hint of jam and maybe some white pepper. Drink over the short to medium term.
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Big yet balanced with plenty of red and dark fruits, floral notes and a bit of oak showing on the nose and palate. Silky in the mouth with a tinge of heat on the finish.
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Decanted for 1.5 hr. This wine exhibited a light garnet color with beautiful aromatics of Bing cherries and ripe raspberries with hints of vanilla, orange rind, cloves and a floral element. On the palate, nice ripe juicy cherries and strawberries combined with a bit of raspberry flavors fill one's mouth leading to hints of spice and a kiss of oak. Nice lengthy finish. Very nice! HS93
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Last time I had this wine, I also had a bunch of other wines so I had some palate fatigue. Opened this for Easter Dinner. The food was some slight spicyness, which goes well with this wine. This is not an overthetop fruit bomb but it's not an elegant light pinot either. I would say this would go well with some heavy sauce foods. Nice and ripe but not candied sweet, there is plenty of sweet chewy tannins that swim around the mouth. Had half a bottle and some might complain there is a slight heat but if you pair the food right, it's not very noticable. Some of the 2005 Pinots I've had have much much more heat. A very nice wine. I would think this wine will hold for a while.
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Rich and powerful nose of ripe cherries and dark blackberries. It doesn't lose its CA Pinot character. Is it an elegant Burg? No. But it's not supposed to be. The fruit hits the tongue and coats it with sweet pinot. This is not an earthy type of pinot but nevertheless, it's what I was expecting. The alcohol might have showed but it didn't overwhelm. I felt the finish was still nice and long. I might agree that this wine probably won't be improving much but I also think it's going to stay this way for a while. It definitely has the strength to hold for a few years.
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WIML92+. No formal note. Drinking at or slightly better than the last bottle. Seems integrated and ready to go. Should hold 3-5 years easily. Huge California styled Pinot Noir.
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Opened 1.5 hours before drinking but did not decant. Initial taste upon opening was not showing much but 1.5 hours later and after 10-15 minutes in the glass this really started to show nicely with bright cranberry/raspberry and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate was smooth and balanced with nice red fruit and some supporting acidity and a touch of spice on the medium length finish. This bottle was drinking much better than the first one I opened earlier this year. However, this wine is not the blockbuster some were reporting a couple of years ago. I plan to drink my remaining 2 bottles over the next year.
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With traditional Thanksgiving roasted turkey dinner.
It featured a dark ruby colour; powerful fruit driven aromas; quite full bodied; wonderful texture, where the black cherry flavours had a sweet edge; evidence of some high alcohol, but it wasn't hot; well integrated with a solid core of fruit depth; very long finish. While extremely attractive now, my take is that it will age nicely for some time and take on more nuances in the aromas.
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The Atlanta "Not Lori" Off-line (Rathbun's): Big, rich cherry and vanilla on the nose which follow through on the palate along with light oak spice flavors with a hint of citrus. Full palate with a nice texture and a little spice increasing on the good sized and very long finish. This got 8qty 2nd place votes for the flight - almost the same 8 that voted for the Tantara in 1st place.
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Caramoor Jazz Fest Picnic (Katonah, NY): Drank at Caramoor Jazz Fest picnic. Popped and poured. Initially an explosion of fruit on both the nose and the palate. Huge ripe strawberries, some white pepper, some floral notes in the background. After about 20-30 minutes, this really begins to come into its own. The fruit mellows somewhat, allowing wonderful floral notes to permeate the fruit, while the fruit integrates nicely within itself and into the wine. Nose evolves to ripe strawberries, rosepetals, lilacs, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, it's wonderful fruit - tart cherries and ripe strawberries at the same time - and great floral notes with just a touch of minerality. The next day, this is drinking even better. Same profile, only more elegant and less fruit-forward. KB is definitely a producer I will be seeking out going forward. They produce in very much the burgundian style I love, rather than the over-the-top california fruit bomb style I loathe. This wine is still VERY young - I'd give it at least 3-5 more years (it'll reward more than that) and I'd make sure to decant at least 20-30 minutes if I were opening one now.
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NYC KB-fest (Ouest): A remarkable wine. Just sensational. Driven more by red fruits than the '03, this shares it's depth and complexity. Great aromatics; it's a wine that you can enjoy without drinking. A nose of bing cherries, spice, flowers, citrus that explodes from the glass. Full in the mouth but without excess weight, I kept writing down descriptors and putting exclamation points next to them. Deep red fruit (cherries, raspberries) mingle with baking spices and some serious vanillin that linger long after the glass is back on the table. Well-structured, graceful, I wish I had more!
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No signes of faded color. Funky nose of cloves, roses and sour cherry. The mouthfeel isn't as rich, with not quite as much lush fruit as last year, but this has added some nice damp soil, orange peel and extra grip. The finish is slightly astringent,but long and nice. Could be in a muted stage, will wait on my other bottle.
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Light pink-orange on the edges. Initially lovely nose of cherries, red fruit, cola, spices and some earth but this dissapated within 45 minutes of opening, leaving mostly the cola. A bit thin on the palate with cola and earth coming through. Finish initially showing spice, fruit and some decent structure but thinning after an hour. BIG disappointment after the stellar '02 Cohn.
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This is one of my epiphany pinots! Clear red in the glass, the flavors were cherry and spice, with a never-ending finish. An incredible effort from the Kosta Browne team!!
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Had right from bottle. Very nice nose (loved it). Color nice ruby red. Taste of cherry intially. Seemed a little tight on back end. I will let sit for an hour and try some more.
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Dark ruby in color. On the nose, quiet berry fruit (an awkward stage?). On the palate, spicy black raspberries with light nutmeg and clove. Wine was a touch flabby compared to a previous tasting, and the finish short at 15-20 seconds. Not rated as I'm not sure this bottle was fully sound...last bottle was much more expressive.
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While the wine had nice structure and a lasting finish, it lacks many of the feminine, ethereal qualities of most burgundian producers I prefer. This is a big, fruity, alcoholic pinot.
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WIML92,NOWA,WS93 Tasted October 1, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Restaurant Series Bordeaux stem. Ruby to garnet color in the glass, pretty clear hue throughout. Had a slight funk on the nose that seemed to dispate after a while. Nose of crushed berries with some Triple Sec. Flavors of cherries, berries and a little zest of orange. Can be drank now with a little decanting but I’d recommend holding another 6 months to a year and then start consuming over the next 3-5. Recommended
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Very strong nose from the get go: spice is predominant, mostly clove and cinnamon. Very dark ruby, palate shows sweet core of pinot fruit and sweet cherry. This reminded me a lot of a Rosella's vineyard pinot with a little more lifted aeromatics.
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Light-medium ruby colour. Aromas of strawberry jam, currant, and dried flowers. Medium-full bodied, yummy wine. Replays from nose, and a bit of clove. Moderate finish, 30s, with strawberry notes.
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Reddish ruby color. Strong nose. Cloves, cream and pine cones. Real smoove mouthfeel, had the full spectrum of dark to red fruit, with notes of dried cherries and spice. Tons of flavor. Solid structure and lengthy finish. Last one for awhile. Awsome.
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Consumed during a tasting menu at Bona Terra, Sharpsburg, PA. Pale to medium-red in the glass, with pinot spice on the nose. On the palate, silky and smooth, with a core of black cherries and hints of raspberry and strawberry, with a moderate, clean finish. A little less profound than the first bottle we consumed, but still a nice pinot worth seeking out.
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Had high expectations from the reviews. Great nose but not much fruit there. Soild pinot, but did not meet expectations. I can get better pinots for the price.
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Served with blackened, wild King salmon and haricot verts. Decanted for 60 minutes. Wow...now this is a seriously delicious and noteworthy CA pinot! On the nose, at first, there was an odd smell that reminded me of broccoli or brussel sprouts. This blew off fairly quickly though, and after some time in the decanter, there were lots of wonderful red fruits and allspice. On the palate, superbly balanced spicy raspberries and red fruits, followed by a long 20-second finish. Again, the balance was spectacular--fruit and tannins in lovely harmony. This one is special right now, but I think another 6-12 months will add even another point for me.
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Nince nose of cherry, pine needles, cola and forest floor. Amazingly silky but had a bitter finish. I think the score would have been higher if not for the slightly bitter finish.
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A relative disapointment. Maybe an off bottle but did not seem overtly corked. Restrained compared to previous bottles of KB. Fair fruit but not inspiring.
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Now this was bloody amazing. Right now the ethereal nose of roses, lavender, rhubarb and cinammon stick is perfect. the palate is still a touch tight, but packed like lee haney before a show. Huge amount of pinot red fruits stuffed tightly into a balanced acidic, tannic backbone that will give this longevity and character in the future. Balanced and long, this blew me away, i want more.
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No decanting, just straight from bottle to glass. Soft, deep red in the glass, with aromas of flowers and cherries, and a note of maple syrup. On the palate, this is very smooth, with the tannins and fruit in balance, and a reprise of the cherries with hints of raspberry and pinot spice. The finish is smooth, with no harsh edges. Initially, this was somewhat closed, but it opened up quickly over about 30 minutes, and then gracefully evolved to reveal deeper flavor and aroma over the next two hours. Next time (and I think there will need to be a next time), I would decant for an hour before serving.
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In a word - Awesome... This is perhaps one of the top California Pinot's I have ever tasted. Ruby pastel red in color - the nose offers up a bouquet of rose peddles, light cherries and some raspberry & spice. Smooth on the palate and very elegant / delicate. Not overly ripe with a more than generous finish that goes on and on and on. A truly amazing wine that tastes like it will age magnificently.
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Tasted from a bottle opened at the winery on Friday (8/13) which had the cork stuck back in and refigerated over the weekend. At the winery, this was really good wine, but a bit tightly wound and with a noticable acid backbone. After a few days in an open but sealed bottle it really opened up. The color is a clear shining ruby red - very classic pinot. Nose was a bit shy, but showed good fruit and just a hint of vanilla. But on the palate this was a marvelous wine. Medium-bodied, rich, and with great texture and mouth-filling vitality. Palate was complex with sweet fruit, acid and oak all in perfect balance. Finish was long, smooth and lip-smacking. This is really good wine. I called Michael back and got a few more bottles to save.
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4/30/2016 - jsebiri wrote:
Right for me , Strawberries,small earthy.....mature......well done
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3/23/2012 - AlanC wrote: 92 Points
The oldest Kosta Browne I have drunk. Kind of sumptuous, with deep dark black cherry tones with hints of cola. No heat at all, and this wine has retained its rich color without looking at all diluted. Hints of candied orange or pomegranate give the wine a slightly tangy finish, which just doesn't want to end. This is in its window and not getting better, imho. Still lovely, but I'd drink 'em if I got 'em.
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4/30/2011 - helicopterbob wrote: 92 Points
Excellent
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7/28/2010 - Screameagle wrote: 95 Points
Who says Kosta Browne pinots don't age well. If I was asked to describe this wine in one word I would say "Velvet". No rush to drink remaining bottle. A monumental effort.
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12/26/2009 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Tasted briefly at an offline. This was showing quite similar to a Kosta Browne '04 Cohn vineyard tasted alongside with tangy black cherry fruit. Medium bodied. Classy Cali Pinot.
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12/14/2009 - N2Vin wrote: 94 Points
Now finishing its 7th year, it is a treat to sample a KB with this kind of age. Not too many around these days. First, the color had slight bricking on the edge, but still a vibrant reddish purple and very much on the lighter side compared with later versions of this cuvee. The fruit was much more subdued on the nose giving way to a dusty rose, clove, wet forest floor, and then a very precise dose of strawberry, cherry cola, and toasted vanilla oak flavors. Not a hard edge anywhere. Light body, but complex finish. As is often seen in early KB stuff, bordering on hot (don't know what the alcohol was but must be around 15%). The fact is I think this wine has evolved beautifully, is drinking beautifully, and has several good years ahead of it. Stylistically more old world for sure. This was from my cellar. Drank with Mike Farwell of Noir Food and Wine in Pasadena CA, who graciously pulled a 2005 AP Vin Turner from his stock to share with myself and my date. I am nuts for Andrew's Turner (and my date).....
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2/22/2009 - pinotwinelover wrote: 90 Points
Very green at first, then opens up. Not over the top like many KB's
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12/25/2008 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Very closed, intense dark red color, hard to fully access
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10/5/2008 - mtennenbaum wrote: 88 Points
Initial Impression: muted nose, sweet and a little bitter at first. I can sense the elements within and will let it breathe deeply for a while.
45 minutes: smooths out nicely to a combination of cola and tart cherries. Quite pleasant with a reasonable finish, but doesn't strike me as being anything terrific. Maybe it's just me.
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3/14/2008 - redrammer wrote: 93 Points
Wow..an 82!? While this is not my favorite of the KB Kanzler's, I had to try it again after that harsh rating. I don't get it...I thought it had a great, long finish and nice complexity. Paired it with some moroccan-spiced lamb--perfect! Standing alone, I found deep berry nose (maybe a hint of peach or apricot too), and a smooth mouth-feel that tasted exactly like a rich pinot should. This is a typically lush California pinot, much bigger than some others, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
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3/13/2008 - JGarofalo3 wrote: 82 Points
OK, maybe it is me but after drinking this among a few otehr Cali PN's I am scratching my head wondering what the fuss is all about. This wine rated last among the other 3 Pinots from the same vintage (W-S RRV, Dehlinger Estate, Copain). All wines were double decanted and all consumed about 1 hour after opening.
It had decent aromatics and was a bright red in the glass but it drank hot which was surprising after the air time and decant. I know this place is the rave of many and perhaps it is just a style that I am not crazy about but would class KB that differently from the otehrd tried that night. Perhaps a flawed bottle but I do not think so. In my opinion only, this has terrible QPR and this wine in particular left me teribly underwhelmed (I am sure I expected alot more too which doesn't help)
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2/13/2008 - mtennenbaum wrote: 93 Points
Took a few minutes to reveal its depth and character. Very long finish and great balance for an almost 15% alcohol pinot. Still had plently left for the future. I look forward to this wine's development.
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2/7/2008 - jshufelt wrote: 90 Points
Compared to my previous tasting notes, this is still a nice pinot, but it is missing some of the silky texture on the palate and the depth of fruit and complex spice that made it outstanding a few years ago. I don't see this improving with any more aging, so if you have a bottle, drink up.
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1/30/2008 - RussW wrote:
This is still drinking nicely but not as well as the bottle opened 2 months ago. If you have any I would recommend pulling corks. I have to wonder how well these wines are going to age as they seem to be made in a style for relatively early consumption.
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12/8/2007 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Was the very firsr KB I owned and have held since I bought it at from Michael when I visited KB for the first time. The wine shows a hint of brett, which is the same feature I recall the 2002 KB SC showing when we had it in the backyard here with Michael in 2006. A leathery/saddle note is also part of the nose but for me, it's brett. Juicy black cherry and even a bit syrupy with some more bretty notes on the finish. Disappointing for me.
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11/26/2007 - RussW wrote:
Wow...what a difference a bottle makes. This was the third bottle I have opened. The first was opened in 2/06 and reflecting on that bottle it was off as the wine was just not showing anything. The last bottle I had in 12/06 was drinking much better but not at the lofty heights many had described experiencing. This bottle however was drinking magnificently. Everything about the wine was well balanced with a soaring nose of asian spice and red fruit. The palate was full and although rich not cumbersome or flabby. Lots of delicious strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit that leads to a lengthy finish of spicey red fruit and some supporting acidity. If this is what happens to Kanzler fruit with some age then I need to rethink my view on this vineyard. If you have some I would not hesitate to open a bottle. I have one left and will probably drink it next spring.
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11/6/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91.
Tasted November 6, 2007. Opened and decanted 1-2 hours before serving. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light nose and palate of black cherries, black berries, a hint of jam and maybe some white pepper. Drink over the short to medium term.
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9/23/2007 - salil wrote: 90 Points
Big yet balanced with plenty of red and dark fruits, floral notes and a bit of oak showing on the nose and palate. Silky in the mouth with a tinge of heat on the finish.
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5/4/2007 - HurrahSyrah wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hr. This wine exhibited a light garnet color with beautiful aromatics of Bing cherries and ripe raspberries with hints of vanilla, orange rind, cloves and a floral element. On the palate, nice ripe juicy cherries and strawberries combined with a bit of raspberry flavors fill one's mouth leading to hints of spice and a kiss of oak. Nice lengthy finish. Very nice! HS93
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4/8/2007 - hudamang wrote: 92 Points
Last time I had this wine, I also had a bunch of other wines so I had some palate fatigue. Opened this for Easter Dinner. The food was some slight spicyness, which goes well with this wine. This is not an overthetop fruit bomb but it's not an elegant light pinot either. I would say this would go well with some heavy sauce foods. Nice and ripe but not candied sweet, there is plenty of sweet chewy tannins that swim around the mouth. Had half a bottle and some might complain there is a slight heat but if you pair the food right, it's not very noticable. Some of the 2005 Pinots I've had have much much more heat. A very nice wine. I would think this wine will hold for a while.
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3/8/2007 - hudamang wrote: 92 Points
Rich and powerful nose of ripe cherries and dark blackberries. It doesn't lose its CA Pinot character. Is it an elegant Burg? No. But it's not supposed to be. The fruit hits the tongue and coats it with sweet pinot. This is not an earthy type of pinot but nevertheless, it's what I was expecting. The alcohol might have showed but it didn't overwhelm. I felt the finish was still nice and long. I might agree that this wine probably won't be improving much but I also think it's going to stay this way for a while. It definitely has the strength to hold for a few years.
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2/5/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92+. No formal note. Drinking at or slightly better than the last bottle. Seems integrated and ready to go. Should hold 3-5 years easily. Huge California styled Pinot Noir.
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12/24/2006 - RussW wrote:
Opened 1.5 hours before drinking but did not decant. Initial taste upon opening was not showing much but 1.5 hours later and after 10-15 minutes in the glass this really started to show nicely with bright cranberry/raspberry and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate was smooth and balanced with nice red fruit and some supporting acidity and a touch of spice on the medium length finish. This bottle was drinking much better than the first one I opened earlier this year. However, this wine is not the blockbuster some were reporting a couple of years ago. I plan to drink my remaining 2 bottles over the next year.
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11/23/2006 - Hank Gillespie wrote:
With traditional Thanksgiving roasted turkey dinner.
It featured a dark ruby colour; powerful fruit driven aromas; quite full bodied; wonderful texture, where the black cherry flavours had a sweet edge; evidence of some high alcohol, but it wasn't hot; well integrated with a solid core of fruit depth; very long finish. While extremely attractive now, my take is that it will age nicely for some time and take on more nuances in the aromas.
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11/17/2006 - GreenDrazi wrote: 91 Points
The Atlanta "Not Lori" Off-line (Rathbun's): Big, rich cherry and vanilla on the nose which follow through on the palate along with light oak spice flavors with a hint of citrus. Full palate with a nice texture and a little spice increasing on the good sized and very long finish. This got 8qty 2nd place votes for the flight - almost the same 8 that voted for the Tantara in 1st place.
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10/15/2006 - Mike V wrote: 94 Points
WOW Wow wow... Much better than the last bottle. Lovely bright clear ruby. Expressive nose withcherry anf herbs.Palate is just lovely saturated fruit.
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9/9/2006 - KevinP wrote: 93 Points
uh...yeah!
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8/5/2006 - trankin wrote: 93 Points
Caramoor Jazz Fest Picnic (Katonah, NY): Drank at Caramoor Jazz Fest picnic. Popped and poured. Initially an explosion of fruit on both the nose and the palate. Huge ripe strawberries, some white pepper, some floral notes in the background. After about 20-30 minutes, this really begins to come into its own. The fruit mellows somewhat, allowing wonderful floral notes to permeate the fruit, while the fruit integrates nicely within itself and into the wine. Nose evolves to ripe strawberries, rosepetals, lilacs, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, it's wonderful fruit - tart cherries and ripe strawberries at the same time - and great floral notes with just a touch of minerality. The next day, this is drinking even better. Same profile, only more elegant and less fruit-forward. KB is definitely a producer I will be seeking out going forward. They produce in very much the burgundian style I love, rather than the over-the-top california fruit bomb style I loathe. This wine is still VERY young - I'd give it at least 3-5 more years (it'll reward more than that) and I'd make sure to decant at least 20-30 minutes if I were opening one now.
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7/24/2006 - bsherwin wrote:
NYC KB-fest (Ouest): A remarkable wine. Just sensational. Driven more by red fruits than the '03, this shares it's depth and complexity. Great aromatics; it's a wine that you can enjoy without drinking. A nose of bing cherries, spice, flowers, citrus that explodes from the glass. Full in the mouth but without excess weight, I kept writing down descriptors and putting exclamation points next to them. Deep red fruit (cherries, raspberries) mingle with baking spices and some serious vanillin that linger long after the glass is back on the table. Well-structured, graceful, I wish I had more!
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7/13/2006 - Erik R. wrote:
No signes of faded color. Funky nose of cloves, roses and sour cherry. The mouthfeel isn't as rich, with not quite as much lush fruit as last year, but this has added some nice damp soil, orange peel and extra grip. The finish is slightly astringent,but long and nice. Could be in a muted stage, will wait on my other bottle.
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7/9/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 86 Points
Light pink-orange on the edges. Initially lovely nose of cherries, red fruit, cola, spices and some earth but this dissapated within 45 minutes of opening, leaving mostly the cola. A bit thin on the palate with cola and earth coming through. Finish initially showing spice, fruit and some decent structure but thinning after an hour. BIG disappointment after the stellar '02 Cohn.
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5/12/2006 - budman wrote: 93 Points
This is one of my epiphany pinots!
Clear red in the glass, the flavors were cherry and spice, with a never-ending finish.
An incredible effort from the Kosta Browne team!!
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3/3/2006 - jbranch wrote: 90 Points
Had right from bottle. Very nice nose (loved it). Color nice ruby red. Taste of cherry intially. Seemed a little tight on back end. I will let sit for an hour and try some more.
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2/18/2006 - DFC wrote:
Dark ruby in color. On the nose, quiet berry fruit (an awkward stage?). On the palate, spicy black raspberries with light nutmeg and clove. Wine was a touch flabby compared to a previous tasting, and the finish short at 15-20 seconds. Not rated as I'm not sure this bottle was fully sound...last bottle was much more expressive.
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2/17/2006 - budman wrote: 93 Points
This is a big wine. Trying it after the 03 KB RRV just reminded me how marvelous this pinot is.
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1/13/2006 - mharman23 wrote: 87 Points
While the wine had nice structure and a lasting finish, it lacks many of the feminine, ethereal qualities of most burgundian producers I prefer. This is a big, fruity, alcoholic pinot.
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11/17/2005 - PinoyNoir wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic, seamless finish. 2nd bottle
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10/1/2005 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92,NOWA,WS93
Tasted October 1, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Restaurant Series Bordeaux stem. Ruby to garnet color in the glass, pretty clear hue throughout. Had a slight funk on the nose that seemed to dispate after a while. Nose of crushed berries with some Triple Sec. Flavors of cherries, berries and a little zest of orange. Can be drank now with a little decanting but I’d recommend holding another 6 months to a year and then start consuming over the next 3-5. Recommended
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8/29/2005 - Winetex wrote: 91 Points
I'm between a 91 and 92 on this wine. It's really quite good. Yum.
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8/4/2005 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Bistro K: Rich, dark spice; soft cinamon; richer and darker than Siduri.
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7/28/2005 - sivilli wrote:
Very strong nose from the get go: spice is predominant, mostly clove and cinnamon. Very dark ruby, palate shows sweet core of pinot fruit and sweet cherry. This reminded me a lot of a Rosella's vineyard pinot with a little more lifted aeromatics.
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7/27/2005 - futronic wrote: 90 Points
Light-medium ruby colour. Aromas of strawberry jam, currant, and dried flowers. Medium-full bodied, yummy wine. Replays from nose, and a bit of clove. Moderate finish, 30s, with strawberry notes.
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7/17/2005 - jamiekutch wrote:
Leaving NYC and moving to San Francisco; 7/16/2005-7/17/2005: Biased.. Loved it
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4/22/2005 - Erik R. wrote: 93 Points
Reddish ruby color. Strong nose. Cloves, cream and pine cones. Real smoove mouthfeel, had the full spectrum of dark to red fruit, with notes of dried cherries and spice. Tons of flavor. Solid structure and lengthy finish. Last one for awhile. Awsome.
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4/9/2005 - jshufelt wrote: 92 Points
Consumed during a tasting menu at Bona Terra, Sharpsburg, PA. Pale to medium-red in the glass, with pinot spice on the nose. On the palate, silky and smooth, with a core of black cherries and hints of raspberry and strawberry, with a moderate, clean finish. A little less profound than the first bottle we consumed, but still a nice pinot worth seeking out.
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4/3/2005 - Ali wrote: 88 Points
Had high expectations from the reviews. Great nose but not much fruit there. Soild pinot, but did not meet expectations. I can get better pinots for the price.
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4/1/2005 - DFC wrote: 93 Points
Served with blackened, wild King salmon and haricot verts. Decanted for 60 minutes. Wow...now this is a seriously delicious and noteworthy CA pinot! On the nose, at first, there was an odd smell that reminded me of broccoli or brussel sprouts. This blew off fairly quickly though, and after some time in the decanter, there were lots of wonderful red fruits and allspice. On the palate, superbly balanced spicy raspberries and red fruits, followed by a long 20-second finish. Again, the balance was spectacular--fruit and tannins in lovely harmony. This one is special right now, but I think another 6-12 months will add even another point for me.
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3/3/2005 - Hammer wrote: 92 Points
Nince nose of cherry, pine needles, cola and forest floor. Amazingly silky but had a bitter finish. I think the score would have been higher if not for the slightly bitter finish.
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2/21/2005 - Mike V wrote: 89 Points
A relative disapointment. Maybe an off bottle but did not seem overtly corked. Restrained compared to previous bottles of KB. Fair fruit but not inspiring.
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2/1/2005 - Koods wrote:
Now this was bloody amazing. Right now the ethereal nose of roses, lavender, rhubarb and cinammon stick is perfect. the palate is still a touch tight, but packed like lee haney before a show. Huge amount of pinot red fruits stuffed tightly into a balanced acidic, tannic backbone that will give this longevity and character in the future. Balanced and long, this blew me away, i want more.
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1/28/2005 - jshufelt wrote: 93 Points
No decanting, just straight from bottle to glass. Soft, deep red in the glass, with aromas of flowers and cherries, and a note of maple syrup. On the palate, this is very smooth, with the tannins and fruit in balance, and a reprise of the cherries with hints of raspberry and pinot spice. The finish is smooth, with no harsh edges. Initially, this was somewhat closed, but it opened up quickly over about 30 minutes, and then gracefully evolved to reveal deeper flavor and aroma over the next two hours. Next time (and I think there will need to be a next time), I would decant for an hour before serving.
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1/16/2005 - jamiekutch wrote: 95 Points
In a word - Awesome... This is perhaps one of the top California Pinot's I have ever tasted. Ruby pastel red in color - the nose offers up a bouquet of rose peddles, light cherries and some raspberry & spice. Smooth on the palate and very elegant / delicate. Not overly ripe with a more than generous finish that goes on and on and on. A truly amazing wine that tastes like it will age magnificently.
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8/16/2004 - PaulH wrote: 92 Points
Tasted from a bottle opened at the winery on Friday (8/13) which had the cork stuck back in and refigerated over the weekend. At the winery, this was really good wine, but a bit tightly wound and with a noticable acid backbone. After a few days in an open but sealed bottle it really opened up. The color is a clear shining ruby red - very classic pinot. Nose was a bit shy, but showed good fruit and just a hint of vanilla. But on the palate this was a marvelous wine. Medium-bodied, rich, and with great texture and mouth-filling vitality. Palate was complex with sweet fruit, acid and oak all in perfect balance. Finish was long, smooth and lip-smacking. This is really good wine. I called Michael back and got a few more bottles to save.
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