Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard comes from a 20-acre site in the Russian River Valley, acquired by this team two years ago. Harvest between September 20th and October 7th, completely destemmed and aged 16 months in 55% new French oak, it has awesome richness and freshness in its cassis, black raspberry, crushed rock and subtle vanilla bean/sweet oak bouquet. This gives way to a rich, layered, elegant red that has the balance and class to evolve nicely for a decade.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
This particular site is highly regarded for very good reasons, and it has been responsible for noteworthy Pinots from a number of different makers, but this latest from Kosta Browne ranks among the richest examples that we have encountered to date. It makes no apologies for its ripeness and exhibits enormous depth despite being somewhat obvious right now, but beneath its youthful succulence, it shows layers of rich oak, dark cherries, raspberries, vanilla and hints of savory spice and a great sense of drive. It is, in short, as sure a bet for aging as any sure bet can be.
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Wine Spectator
This is firm and well-centered on ripe plum, black cherry and raspberry flavors, this is clean, trim and persistent on the finish. Good now, but should be better in a year. Drink now through 2022.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.