2016 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard was aged for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and scents of fresh cranberries, pomegranate, Earl Grey tea leaves and loads of floral perfume with notions of potpourri, dried tobacco leaf and scorched earth. Medium-bodied and silky, it's lifted, bright and elegantly styled with appealing, perfumed red fruits and a soft frame, finishing long and super juicy. 700 cases produced.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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From the Santa Cruz Mountains south of Monterey, the 2016 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard is one of the more exotic, perfumed wines in the lineup, which is the hallmark of this vineyard. Cherry blossoms, wild strawberries, orange peel, and violet notes give way to a floral, elegant, nuanced 2016 that has good acidity as well as texture. It’s going to be even better this time next year and keep for 7-8 years. 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.
Floral and savory notes, sweet red cherry, mint and white pepper are laced throughout the 2016 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard. Gracious and delicate, the 2016 comes across as lacking in depth, with an overbearing whole cluster character.
About the producer
Kosta Browne is one of California's most acclaimed wineries, renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that express the character of top vineyard sites across Sonoma and beyond. Combining meticulous sourcing with thoughtful winemaking, the wines offer richness, precision, and remarkable sense of place.