The 2009 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a gorgeous wine bursting with expressive aromatics and juicy, exuberant fruit. This is a beautiful entry-level wine that makes a great introduction to the wines of Kosta Browne. Sweet floral and spice notes add complexity on the juicy, racy finish. This is a terrific showing. The Russian River bottling was vinified with 8-9% whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Kosta Browne is one of the great American success stories of the last decade. The story begins when longtime friends Dan Kosta and Michael Browne discover a shared passion for Pinot Noir while working together at a local restaurant. They start with a tiny amount of homemade Pinot Noir, grow gradually, acquire some financing along the way, work their tails off and one day the mailing list requires a five year wait for the vineyard designated wines. Of course I am simplifying, but Kosta Browne is the type of entrepreneurial success that can only happen in this country. Over the years, as the winemaking approach has developed, the wines have become much more finessed than they used to be. Toast levels have come down. Some lots are fermented in open top wood vats, an approach that seems promising based on the wines I tasted. A number of the wines were fermented with whole clusters, as noted below. The Kosta-Browne Pinots are notable for their exuberant fruit. The wines are incredibly attractive when young, which is when I prefer to drink them. Tel. (707) 823-7430

Fresh, bright, ripe black cherry, raspberry and light floral scents lead off in this supple, fleshy, full-bodied red, which is complex and layered on the palate, maintaining its core fruitiness and gaining subtle touches of dark berry and spice. Drink now through 2018. 4,320 cases made.??–JL??Region: California / Sonoma / Russian River Valley Select to Add