2010 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard

The 2010 Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard is a classic Russian River Pinot. Plums, black cherries, mint, licorice and sweet spices all flesh out in the glass. I very much like the length and overall sense of polish. In 2010 the Koplen is striking in its beautiful balance and radiant, supple personality. The Koplen is among the wines that were partially fermented in oak vats, 20% in this case. In 2010, the Koplen also includes 20-25% whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. Kosta-Browne is one of those places that always seems to be buzzing with a positive vibe that is hard to fully describe, but that I am sure informs these exuberant, deeply expressive wines. I arrived for my tasting as the winery was completing their move to new, spacious digs at The Barlow, a large facility food/wine industrial park facility in Sebastopol that also houses Pax Mahle's winery plus a number of restaurants, markets, cheese shops, coffee houses and sellers of other local food specialties that will move in shortly. The Barlow is still undergoing its build out, but it will be very interesting to see how the project develops in the coming years. As for the Pinots that have made K-B so famous, the wines keep getting better and more refined with each passing vintage. One big development is the acquisition of Gaps Crown by investor Bill Price, who is also an owner of Kosta-Browne, which means that Gaps Crown now becomes essentially an estate vineyard, although I am told contracts with other growers who purchase fruit will remain in place. It-s all part of the constant energy that seems to be an essential part of K-B-s DNA. Tel. (707) 823-7430

Bright ruby-red. Heady aromas of strawberry, cherry-cola, potpourri and spicy oak. Silky, sweet and seamless, with superb depth and energy to its red berry and floral pastille flavors. Extremely suave pinot that shows excellent energy and clarity on the persistent, floral finish.