Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A vibrant, pure, and precise style of Pinot Noir from this region, the 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley sports a vivid ruby hue as well as a beautiful array of redcurrants, wildflowers, sappy underbrush, and subtle baking spice nuances. Gorgeous on the palate as well, it's medium to full-bodied and has a pure, focused textured, silky tannins, and a great finish. Where most Russian River Pinot Noirs are broad and exuberant, this plays it closer to its vest and has an undeniably Burgundian style, with good acidity, tannins, and precision. It's beautifully done and will evolve for 15+ years or more. Rating: 94+
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James Suckling
A perfumed, dried-floral nose of rose petals and violets with ripe red cherries as well. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins. Cool profile on the palate with very vibrant and lush red and black fruit. A lick of sweet fruit mixes with savory, earthy notes at the finish. Good depth and intensity.?
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Wine Spectator
There's good grip to the dark cherry and plum paste flavors that feature savory and dark chocolate accents, with a creamy texture on the firmly tannic finish, showing tapenade hints.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir offers attractive and lasting textures on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings aromas and flavors of savory spices, sandalwood, black fruit, and oak to the fore. Enjoy it with an oven-roasted turkey topped with strips of bacon.
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.