Winemaker Notes
Our 2008 Russian River Valley PinotNoir is a blend of nine vineyards whichlie in and around the central part ofthe Russian River Valley appellation(known as the Santa Rosa Plain). Thisarea gives the wine a spicy red fruitcore with a rich, velvety and supplecharacter. The individual lots are allunique, giving the blend a load ofcomplexity. We recommend drinkingthis wine between 2011 and 2016.
AROMATICS: Wild raspberry, lavenderand soft notes of sarsaparilla. Layers ofwarm spices compete for attention withthe rich berry and crushed ripe cherries.
ON THE PALATE: This vintage ofthe Russian River Valley Pinot Noirpermeates and awakens your senses.Pure, balanced and intense. Raspberryand a trace of nutmeg envelop themidpalate. The intense fl avors build toa crescendo of dark red fruit, nuancesof spice and traces of cola which slowlysaturate the back palate. Traces of cream,bright/rich cherry and dark chocolateare revealed in the long, caressing andmouth fi lling fi nish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Rich and extracted, showing full-blown sassafras, dried currant and berry fruit, with mineral, sage, black tea and plum jam flavors that are well-focused, deep, concentrated and persistent. Drink now through 2016.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
As generously filled and as carefully balanced as any Pinot in this month's review, Kosta Browne's Russian River Valley bottling is absolutely brimming with succulent cherries overlain by lots of creamy oak. What it may lack in complexity, it more than makes up for in its ebullient young fruit, and we would not rule out an increased sense of the former after it has had a couple of years in which to develop. Still, it is so rich and inviting right now that impatience is hard to condemn.
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.