Our 11th Year !

$69

VM 90+ (6/2007): Ruby-red. Brooding aromas of kirsch, blackcurrant and cured tobacco are brightened by suggestions of iron and dried violet. Focused dark berry and cherry flavors show impressive concentration and a chewy texture and are nicely firmed by youthful tannins. The solid finish features strikingly sweet cherry and mocha flavors. This needs some time.

2006

$55

VM 90 (6/2008): Bright red color. Powerful dark berry and candied cherry aromas are complicated by black cardamom, cured tobacco and dried flowers. Fleshy bitter cherry and dark chocolate flavors show an intriguing amaro-like bitterness, with chewy texture and slow-mounting tannins. Finishes with surprising energy and excellent lift, echoing the bitter cherry and tobacco qualities.

2008

$75

VM 92 (6/2010): ivid ruby. An intensely floral bouquet displays wilted rose, magnolia, black raspberry and incense. Supple and broad on entry, turning more tangy and energetic in the middle and offering lively red and dark berry flavors and an exotic candied floral quality. The finish repeats the red fruit note and lingers with very good tangy persistence. I'll bet that this will be even better in a year or two.

2009

Cerise Vyd. Pinot Noir (1.5 L)

$75

VM 92+ (6/2011): Deep ruby. More musky and powerful than the Keefer Ranch bottling, showing dark berry and cherry character and notes of smoked meat and mocha. Broad, chewy and powerful, offering rich cherry compote and black raspberry flavors and a note of bitter chocolate. Quite a bit richer than the excellent 2008, which is lovely right now, by the way. Finishes on a sneaky note of candied rose, with solid punch. Give this some time in bottle.

2004

Amber Ridge Vyd. Syrah

$59

VM 88+ (6/2006): Ruby-red. Musky aromas of black cherry, blackberry, tar, pepper and game. Sweet and dense if a bit youthfully reduced, with solid, chunky fruit lifted by spice and pepper notes. Finishes with rather powerful but slightly dry tannins. I suspect this will be more harmonious by the time it's released in the spring of 2007.

2019

$265

WA 92 (7/2022): Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard is rustic to begin, with accents of tar, tobacco and bay leaves over an intense core of dark red fruit. The palate is full-bodied with abundant, gently chewy tannins, bright freshness and a long, earth-laced finish.

2020

Cerise Vyd. Pinot Noir (1.5 L)

$325

JD 95 (7/2023): The 2020 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard pours a rich ruby hue and reveals aromas of anise, red cherry, and pine. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and ripe notes of cranberry cocktail, clove, and orange peel, give it another year and drink 2024-2030. Audrey Frick.

2004

Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

$59

2005

Garys’ Vyd. Pinot Noir

$69

VM 90 (6/2007): Dark red. Very ripe, rather powerful aromas of cherry, cassis, tobacco and roasted coffee. Deep and weighty, with concentrated cherry and dark berry liqueur flavors; firm, youthful tannins; and building notes of musky underbrush and succulent herbs. Not the last word in finesse but undeniably impressive, finishing on a dense, sweet kirsch note. Serve this with peppery grilled steaks or even game.

WA 86 (8/2007): The 2005 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard reveals tart acidity, high alcohol, and a monolithic, chunky character without the complexity and nuances of the other Santa Lucia wines made from this vineyard.

2006

Garys’ Vyd. Pinot Noir

$69

VM 90 (6/2008): Dark red. Vibrant red and dark berry aromas are complemented by baking spices, licorice and musky underbrush. Energetic, sharply defined raspberry and wild strawberry flavors are nicely concentrated but the wine is light in body, with a surprisingly elegant personality and good lift. Gains energy on the finish, which is impressively spicy, fresh and long.

2003

$69

2004

$69

VM 89+ (6/2006): Good full red. Exotic blackberry, raspberry, minerals, spicy oak and earth on the nose. Dense but tight on the palate, with sappy red berry flavors offering very good intensity and lift. This, too, is almost liqueur-like but retains good freshness of red fruit flavor. In a rather masculine style, finishing with solid tannic structure. From a late-ripening spot, notes Browne. I'd give this one a good two or three years in the cellar.

BH 88 (7/2006): A very ripe nose with hints of cola, mocha and briar folds into very rich and impressively concentrated flavors that possess a cherry-liqueur like quality to them. This is quite forward and while not soft, there is velvety quality to the finish that presently masks what are firm tannins on the pepper-infused and again, youthfully tangy and noticeably warm finish. Drink: 2009+

2005

$95

VM 91 (6/2007): Deep red. Intense, primary red and dark berry aromas are brightened by fresh rose, minerals and cinnamon. Weighty but focused, with sweet kirsch and mulberry flavors, chewy texture and a building floral pastille element. Turns sweeter still on the finish, which features a strong raspberry flavor and superb persistence. There's a seamless, creamy quality to this pinot that makes it really appealing even now.

2006

$65

VM 91 (6/2008): Bright red color. Ripe red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by clove, mace and cinnamon. Supple and round, with sweet red berry preserve flavors, soft tannins and building ripeness. Maintains admirable clarity on the long, juicy finish, which leaves behind a strong flavor of raspberry. For a rich wine, this is focused and fresh.

BH 85 (10/2008): Here the nose is a mix of lightly spiced medium-pitched red cherry and blue berry with only a trace of menthol that complements somewhat edgy and firm flavors where the acidity actually enhances the sense of warmth. The good news is that there is good complexity but the other side of the coin is that the acid backbone is not well integrated on the finish that is borderline hot. In sum, this is attractive up to the mid-palate but loses its appeal on the finish.

2007

$79

VM 93 (6/2009): Ruby-red. Energetic aromas of black raspberry, blood orange, candied rose and minerals. Vivid, impressively focused red and dark berry flavors are complicated by an exotic floral pastille quality. The silky tannins add support and gentle grip to the long, subtly sweet finish.

BH 86 (10/2009): (Sonoma Coast, 14.9%, 803 cases). Here the nose is not particularly dissimilar from that of the Koplen though the fruit is slightly redder in character and perhaps a hair fresher as well with rounded and easy to like flavors that also possess a seductive mouth feel and while I like the complexity of the focused and lingering finish, pinot (even solidly concentrated examples such as this can rarely carry this level of alcohol gracefully and, unfortunately, this one doesn't either. I would not age this as the warmth, even at cellar temperature, is immediately evident. Drink: now

2010

$79

VM 93 (7/2013): The character of the Sonoma Coast comes through in the 2010 Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard. Bright, chiseled and focused, the 2010 impresses for its energy and vibrancy. Slightly gamy at times, the Kanzler boasts great balance, complexity and class. The addition of a small amount of whole clusters adds aromatic lift on the finish. This is another terrific showing from Kosta-Browne. Antonio Galloni.

2011

$79

VM 90 (2/2014): The 2011 Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard is bright, focused and articulate. Cranberry, freshly cut flowers, mint and crushed rocks all lift from the glass. The Kanzler is one of the more pointed, vibrant Pinots in this range, reflecting the qualities of a cool site in a cool vintage. The wine's mid-weight structure argues for near-term drinking. Antonio Galloni.

2011

Lightly Bin-Soiled Label

$79

2007

$69

VM 93 (6/2009): Vivid red. Spicy black raspberry and cherry skin aromas are complicated by smoky minerals, anise and a suave blood orange quality. Fleshy, sweet red and dark berry flavors display liqueur-like depth and power, picking up candied rose on the back end. The refreshingly bitter finish leaves tangy berry skin notes behind. Along with the Kanzler, this is the most energetic of this year's line-up.

BH 90 (10/2009): (Russian River Valley; 14.7%, 698 cases) An expressive and highly perfumed aromatic profile speaks of mostly upper register red berry fruit before sliding away into fresh, vibrant and supple medium-bodied flavors that display very little warmth provided that the serving temperature is properly maintained as well as none of the edginess that many in this range evidence. Very solid quality here. Drink 2012+.

2008

$65

VM 92 (5/2010): Bright red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, strawberry liqueur, dried flowers and Asian spices. Silky, bright and precise, but with good depth and power to its red berry and cherry flavors. Really expand with air, finishing with sweet tannins, tangy minerality and impressive length. If your impression of the K-B wines ossified around the 2004 vintage, you should check this one out. Stephen Tanzer.

2009

$65

VM 93 (6/2011): Bright ruby. Complex, seductive bouquet of raspberry preserves, gingerbread, potpourri, cola and a hint of star anise. Silky and expansive, with serious heft to its red fruit flavors but surprising elegance too. Fresh, precise and sappy on the finish, which echoes the red berry and spice notes.

2010

Keefer Ranch Vyd. Pinot Noir (1.5 L)

$69

VM 93 (5/2012): Deep ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed scents of fresh red fruits, incense and candied rose, with a touch of star anise in the background. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a seamless, silky quality. Powerful but lithe pinot with excellent finishing lift and clarity.

2021

$289

JD 95 (6/2024): The 2021 Pinot Noir Noir Keefer Ranch takes on great foresty aromas of pine needles, Asian spices, toasted cedar, and dried strawberries. Medium-bodied, it feels more linear through the palate, with refreshing, even acidity, fine tannins, and a long finish, with notes of blood orange through the palate. It’s very well-defined and is going to do its best with another year or so in bottle. Drink 2025-2037.

2003

$65

2005

$69

VM 92 (6/2007): Bright red. Intensely floral aromas of vibrant raspberry, wild strawberry, candied cherry, cola and violet, plus an exotic dose of Asian spices. Silky and sweet, with vibrant red fruit character and suave, harmonious tannins. Picks up a zesty mineral note with air, finishing with elegant, sweet suggestions of wild strawberry and orange (!) liqueur. Pretty alluring stuff.

2007

$79

VM 93 (6/2009): Saturated red. Deeply scented aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and violet, with a subtle smoky undertone. Deep, gently chewy dark berry preserve flavors are firmed by fine-grained tannins and pick up an exotic note of rose pastille with air. Open-knit, round and seductively sweet, with excellent finishing clarity and sappy persistence. This gained power in the glass while maintaining striking freshness and energy.

BH 90 (10/2009): (Russian River Valley, 14.4%, 867 cases) An easy to appreciate nose jumps from the glass to reveal an appealing mix of both upper and lower register fruit elements along with spice, underbrush and wood hints that dissolve into rich, round and sappy middle weight plus flavors that possess an attractive mouth feel as there is good dry extract that buffers the moderately firm tannins that confer a dusty texture to the serious, reasonably well-balanced and lingering finish where about the only nit is a mild edginess. Drink 2011+.

2008

$69

VM 92 (5/2010): Bright ruby. Intensely perfumed bouquet displays red berries, potpourri and star anise. Michael Browne told me that he used a lot of whole clusters this year "to increase the spiciness. The fruit is always powerful and I wanted to bring an extra dimension." Pliant, juicy red fruit flavors are complicated by notes of cinnamon and spicecake, with slow-building smokiness. Finishes with refreshing tangy cut and a strong echo of raspberry. Stephen Tanzer.

2009

$69

VM 93 (6/2011): Bright violet. Perfumed array of red and dark berry and floral qualities, along with notes of allspice and incense. A sexy floral note comes up with air and carries onto the palate, which offers sweet raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and a hint of succulent herbs. Doesn't let up on the finish, which echoes the raspberry note and shows wonderful intensity.

2010

$69

VM 92 (5/2012): 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.

2011

Rosella’s Vyd. Pinot Noir

$79

VM 92 (2/2014): The 2011 Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard is a wine of real density and power. Big and broad shouldered, the 2011 blossoms in the glass beautifully, filling out its frame very nicely. Plums, black cherries, cloves, menthol and licorice are all woven into the juicy, enveloping finish. The Koplen could use another year or two in bottle to fully come together. Antonio Galloni.

2005

$89

VM 91 (6/2007): Light red. Perfumed redcurrant and wild strawberry scents are precise and impressively energetic, with a zesty mineral note adding to the impression of vibrancy. Brisk but also nicely filled in, with strong red berry and cherry flavors lifted by exotic Asian spices. Taut, refreshingly bitter cherry and pomegranate notes on the finish carry impressively and are joined by an intriguing, vaguely numbing white pepper tone.

WA 85 (8/2007): The well-made 2005 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard (15.3% alcohol) is somewhat puzzling as it possesses very ripe fruit, but not the concentration of most of its peers. It offers some weedy spice and earth characteristics as well as tart acidity.

2009

Rosella’s Vyd. Pinot Noir

$123

VM 92 (6/2011): Vivid ruby. Expressive aromas of raspberry, strawberry, blood orange and sexy oak spices. Concentrated and lush, with spicy red fruit and candied rose flavors framed but not overwhelmed by smoky oak. Shows very good balance and finishes bright and sappy, with supple tannins and lingering floral character.

2021

Rosella’s Vyd. Pinot Noir

$159

2006

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

$59

2007

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

$69

VM 90 (6/2009): Vivid red. Intensely spicy aromas of black raspberry, cherry skin, anise and white pepper. Lush and sweet, with deep, focused red and dark berry flavors, silky texture and a late kick of brown spices. I really like this wine's energy and finishing clarity.

BH 87 (10/2009): A red cherry and pinot-liqueur nose trimmed in light spice and menthol notes is followed by supple and fruit-forward flavors that possess good mid-palate focus and fat that buffers the moderately firm structural elements on the sappy and discreetly warm finish. There is also a curious taste of something that vaguely resembles creosote, which is not so much unpleasant as it's simply odd. Drink 2011+.

2007

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

$95

2005

$59

VM 89 (6/2007): Bright red. Spicy cherry and wild strawberry aromas, with dark chocolate and licorice accents. Supple red and dark berry jam flavors show good depth and are accented by cracked pepper and mace. Finishes broad and sweet, with very good length and a refreshingly bitter cherry skin tone.

BH 85 (12/2007): An expressive nose combines notes of cherry cough syrup a hint of menthol that can also be picked up on the round, supple and textured flavors that are attractively silky but culminate in a bitter and unbalanced finish where the warmth from the elevated alcohol dominates. While I for clearly stated reasons do not debate the merits of style in my evaluations because everyone should, and for the most part happily does, prefer different things, high alcohol is not a style question, it’s a balance question and this wine’s balance suffers because of its elevated alcohol and backend bitterness. The finishing bitterness of course is not from the alcohol but suffice it to say that this isn’t for me and I certainly wouldn’t recommend aging it. Drink now.

2005

Heavily Scuffed Label

$59

2006

$59

VM 91 (6/2008): Medium red. Energetic red berries, minerals and fresh flowers on the nose, complicated by Asian spices and pungent herbs. Racy and sharply focused, offering tangy redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors. Bracing minerality adds cut to the long, spicy finish.

BH 86 (10/2008): A Maraschino cherry nose that displays attractive spice hints a soupçon of menthol moves into round, supple and nicely rich flavors that possess a distinctly edgy finish where the tannins are not well integrated into the finish, which is also distinctly warm. I like the complexity but the delivery isn't one of harmony. Drink 2009+.

2007