Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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The Somm Journal
Garys’ Vineyard was planted in 1997 and named for Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni, two of the most celebrated winegrowers in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Fermented in 49% stainless steel, 39% concrete, and 12% wood and then aged in French and Austrian oak for 16 months, this nuanced red shows the pedigree of its coveted source on the palate. Mocha, wild strawberry, sweet meats, and chaparral engage with a “big boy” mouthfeel. A stony, forestfloor keenness on the finish completes the experience
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2018 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard, a layered, complex, medium-bodied Pinot Noir offering ample wild strawberry and cherry fruits as well as notes of spice, loamy earth, and assorted meaty, spicy nuances. Beautifully textured, round, and expansive, it has wonderful tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It's another complex, balanced, impeccably made Pinot Noir from this team.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark cherry, sweet sage, light cardamom cream and a steely minerality are expertly integrated on the nose of this bottling from an iconic vineyard. It’s a hearty wine on the palate, loaded with both roasted cherry and taut raspberry, but it’s the array of chaparral herbs, from wild thyme to juniper and bay leaf, that provide the most intrigue.
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James Suckling
Sweet and slightly spicy red and black fruit on the nose with notes of red licorice and dried herbs as well. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins. The palate is fruity and zippy with citrus-like acidity. Smooth and supple. Drink or hold.
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Wine & Spirits
This is rich and fruit-forward, with Thanksgiving scents of potpourri. The wine’s mouth-filling plum richness will stand up to barbecue. —
Founded in 1997, Kosta Browne is one of North America’s most revered wineries, recognized for making some of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Located in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, and guided by an acclaimed team that includes renowned Winemaker Julien Howsepian, Kosta Browne makes appellation and single-vineyard wines from the most coveted cool-climate vineyards across the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations. In addition to partnering with the finest growers in California, Kosta Browne has an estate program that features 170 acres of vineyards through ownership or long-term leases that includes the Cerise Vineyard in Anderson Valley, Keefer Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, and a prized section of the Gap’s Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. Kosta Browne has earned a place on Wine Spectator’s annual list of the world’s “Top 100 Wines” seven times since 2005, including “Wine of the Year” in 2011.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.