2012 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
SKU #1157090
93 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The straight 2012 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a gorgeous Pinot. Subtle and nuanced, yet no lightweight, it offers layers of mulled red and black fruits, cinnamon, loamy earth and dried flowers on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied, supple and layered profile, it has excellent mid-palate depth, a fabulous texture and a clean finish. It's already hard to resist, but it will evolve nicely through 2022. This was another stacked lineup by the team of Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. All of these wines showed the more approachable style of the 2012 vintage, and had seamless, elegant characters. They're beautiful now, but I suspect they will evolve nicely given their overall balance. (JD)
(10/2014)
92 points
Vinous
Sweet floral and red berry notes take shape in the 2012 Pinot Noir (Russian River). This soft, perfumed Pinot is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years, while the fruit retains its joyful exuberance. This is another gorgeous appellation-level Pinot from Kosta Browne. (AG)
(1/2015)
92 points
Wine Spectator
A strikingly graceful, complex and layered effort that puts the raspberry, wild berry, anise and floral scents front and center, and keeps them at the forefront through the long, lingering finish. (JL)
(9/2014)
91 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Bright ruby. Intense aromas of strawberry preserves, potpourri and smoky minerals, with a spicy nuance adding lift. Lively and precise on the palate, offering zesty red fruit and blood orange flavors that become fleshier with air. Finishes racy and long, with silky tannins building slowly and shaping the plush red berry and cherry flavors. (ST)
(5/2014)
K&L Notes
Kosta Browne's tasting note: "The 2012 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of vineyards that surround our Sebastopol home, which lie in cool areas throughout the Russian River Valley. This region's climate is sculpted by the regular intrusion of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean a few miles to the west. The fog usually arrives in the evening, often dropping the temperature 35 to 40 degrees from its daytime high. The fog retreats to the ocean the following morning. This natural air-conditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season. The wine shows a range of bright red fruits to brambly voluptuous flavors, all hallmark characteristics of the appellation. The individual lots are all unique, providing distinct aromas and flavors, giving the final blend broad complexity. Aromatics: This beautifully complex wine shows layered aromas of rich, warm fennel and sage spices mingled with the red and dark fresh fruit components of red raspberry, crushed ripe black cherries and hint of rose petal. On the palate: This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is pure, balanced, lush and focused. Rich chocolate covered cherries come to the front, while fresh ripe raspberries, pomegranate and cola develop throughout the palate, all resting generously on the top of the tongue. The lingering finish wraps around your palate with focus and freshness."
