2016 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was aged partly for 15 months in 47% new French oak, partly for ten months in 5% concrete tank. It has a pale to medium ruby color and very inviting nose: pomegranate, cranberry jelly, violet, orange peel and red cherry candy are accented with nuances of dried leaves and a light framing of spices. It's medium-bodied, silky and offers great restraint—very intense but not over the top—with a soft, grainy frame and juicy acidity to lift the long, red berry finish. This isn't the most complex wine in the world, but it's exactly as it should be for an appellation-wide Pinot Noir—simply delicious! 8,500 cases produced.

The largest production cuvée is the 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, which sees close to 50% new barrels. This juicy, fruit forward, medium-bodied effort offers classic notes of mulberries, raspberries, and hints of orange blossom. It’s another seamless, balanced 2016 that has the remarkable purity and elegance that’s the hallmark of the 2016 vintage. Winemaker Nico Cueva continues to fine tune his approach at Kosta Browne, experimenting with new vinification and aging vessels. While the wines were richer and more upfront in the past, today, they have slightly more freshness and tension while not abandoning the beautiful fruit and texture that defines California wines. As I hope these notes show, these are distinctive, singular wines up there with the crème de la crème of the region.

Kosta Browne's 2016 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is soft, fruity and pliant. Like all of the appellation level wines, the Russian River Pinot is decidedly laid back. Perhaps I caught the 2016 on a bad day, but the fruit is not especially expressive today, nor do I see the raciness that is the single most distinctive attribute of Russian River Pinots.