2020 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen

Depth of fruit and texture here, with sliced apple, flint and pineapple skin. It’s full and layered, with beautiful fruit and length. Drink or hold.

The 2020 Chardonnay One-Sixteen is sunny with notes of beeswax, orange zest, and baked apple. It has rich concentration and texture, with a spine of acidity. Notes of Meyer lemon, and almond, and warming baking spice fill out the palate. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. Founded by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne in 2001, today Kosta Browne is a part of the Duckhorn portfolio of wines. Winemaker Julien Howsepian, who has taken over from Nico Cueva, has been involved with the winery since 2012, when he had worked a harvest and subsequently became a full-time member of the team, working alongside Michael and Nico. Though the wines are still expressive of a full style, there has been some dialing back on ripeness over the past several years. Their reach has expanded in terms of regionality, but they continue to work exclusively with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The 2020 Chardonnay One Sixteen is scented of yellow apples, beeswax, almonds and flint. The palate is waxy in texture, with tangy acidity, concentrated fruits and a long, spicy finish.