Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 'Sonoma Coast' 2021
(Sonoma Coast, California) - [JD 96] [JS 94] [WA 93] [DM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Our Appellation Series wines exemplify our commitment to exploration and passion for crafting soulful and thought-provoking wines that celebrate some of the world’s great terroirs.

The Sonoma Coast is the largest appellation in Sonoma County, strongly influenced by its proximity to the ocean and heavy rainfall—producing more than twice the annual amount of its inland neighbors.

This vintage, we sourced from eight vineyards in both the northern true coastal zone and the southern edge of the appellation. Together, they form a singular wine, distinctively Sonoma Coast, with illuminating, deep hues and a warm medley of boysenberry, blueberry, and fresh-cut strawberry, with a slight undertone of forest rain. To showcase the terrific vintage and purity of each site, we used a balanced selection of fermentation vessels. The resulting Pinot Noir is in beautiful harmony with well-integrated tannins, adding volume to a refined finish with an uplifting presence.

VINEYARD DETAILS

VINEYARD Treehouse, Thorn Ridge, Gap’s Crown, Marshall Ranch, Pratt, Balletto, Mardikian, Winner’s Circle
CLONES 2A, 15, 23, Swan, Calera, Pommard, 113, 114, 115, 828
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Mainly Goldridge loam

TECHNICAL DETAILS

FERMENTATION 81% stainless steel, 11% wood, 8% concrete, 1% whole cluster
ÉLEVAGE 38% new French oak for 15 months, 11% wood cask for 15 months, 1% new Austrian oak for 15 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.62
TA 5.6 g/L

TASTING NOTES

NOSE A compilation of ripe, red and blue fruit ignites the senses with slight undertones of forest rain.
MOUTH Soft and smooth on the palate with pure electric dark berry flavors and deep, unified tannins add volume to a refined finish.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is floral with perfume and ripe red berries, as well as notes of framboise, rosemary, and incense. Offering fantastic balance, with fine tannins, fresh seamless acidity, and a good purity of fruit, this is a very attractive wine now and will continue to provide prime drinking over the next 12 or more years." - Audrey Frick (Aug 2023)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of umami, seaweed, mushroom and bark follow through to a medium body, with firm and fine velvety tannins and a flavorful finish with a salty undertone at the end. Oyster shell. Drink now." (Nov 2023)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was matured in 39% new oak for 15 months. The nose opens slowly from allspice and brown sugar to a core of red cherry and cranberry, tea leaves and lavender. The medium-bodied palate offers surprisingly concentrated fruit supported by grainy tannins and seamless freshness, and it has a long, spicy finish." - Erin Brooks (Jun 2023)

93 points - Decanter Magazine: 
"Kosta Browne's 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, part of the venerable producer's Appellation Series, is sourced from eight vineyards spanning from the northern coastal rims of the appellation down to the edges of the southern portion of the zone. Mirroring its sourcing, its cellar journey is also a melange of sorts, including fermentation in stainless steel, wood, concrete, and a small portion of whole cluster, with ageing in both French and Austrian oak. The product of an accelerated harvest that was a whole month shorter than in 2020, this 2021 Pinot presents a lucid dark ruby with a violet rim. Shy on the nose at first, the 2021 gives off aromatic hints of redberry fruits laced with cedarwood spices. Still, it opens up significantly on the palate to reveal a classic, velvety-textured Pinot Noir, offering juicy pomegranate and raspberry fruits. Velvety tannins underscore notes of forest floor and conifer, and an enticing cocoa nib finish adds to the complexity." - Jonathan Cristaldi (May 2024)