2016 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Seeing 15% whole clusters and roughly 30-40% new French oak, the 2016 Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard offers a ripe, voluptuous, yet always classy profile, and I wrote “classic KB” in my notes. Blueberries, pomegranates, crushed violets, and blood orange notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied 2016 that has plenty of fruit as well as integrated acidity. 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.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard is pliant, supple and inviting, as the wines from this site tend to be, but with less of the exuberance of previous editions, which is all to say the wine is very reflective of the current style at Kosta Browne. The succulent red cherry fruit shows good presence, even if the wine feels a bit attenuated and tight.
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.