Winemaker Notes
The 2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir exhibits dark black and blue fruits that drive down the center of your palate and slowly melt into all areas of the mouth. There is focused acidity and tannic grip that carry the rich dark fruit character towards the midpalate, followed by creamy black cherry, dark plum and dried currants. There is intensity to this wine that is followed by a slow release of complex flavors and textures, leading to a long and lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is striking in its beauty. Freshly cut flowers, mint, dark cherries, cloves and violets seem to jump from the glass. A crystalline, pure Pinot, the 2010 is loaded with energy and brightness. Though medium in body, the 2010 is all about vibrancy and nuance. This is a terrific entry-level Pinot from Kosta-Browne.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a firm, generous mix of dried berry, mineral, cedar and sage, with touches of wilted rose, raspberry and cranberry, ending with fine, detailed tannins.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is large in area but, not counting overlapping regions like Russian River Valley, only has a few thousand acres of grapevines—and it’s no wonder. Much of the region is rugged and not easily accessible. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s fog and cool breezes limits the varieties that can be cultivated, but it proves to be an ideal environment for high quality Pinot Noir.
Since fog is a frequent fact of life here, as are heavy marine layers that sometimes bring rain, the best vineyards are wisely planted above the fog line, on picturesque ridges that capture enough sun to provide even ripening. That, with the overnight drop in temperature that reliably preserves acidity, results in fine expressions of Pinot Noir that often receive tremendous critic and consumer praise alike, and are often in high demand.