2013 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands & Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 6-Bottle Tasting Lot

“Much more upfront and ready to go than the Santa Lucia Highlands releases, the deep ruby colored 2013 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley offers tons of juicy berry fruits, spice, underbrush and floral characteristics in its medium to full-bodied, supple, voluptuous personality. (JD)” (10/2015)

“The 2013 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley comes across as a bit restrained, with lovely energy to balance the expressive Russian River fruit. Dark cherry, plum, spice, cedar and cinnamon flesh out on a perfumed, sensual finish with attractive rose petal and lavender overtones. (AG)” (05/2015)

“Combines a tight, firm framework and a complex mix of dark berry, anise, gravel, road tar and savory herb notes, finishing with a long, clean, layered aftertaste. (JL)” (08/2015)

“True to the brighter, red cherry fruit that its provenance predicts yet still sporting a fair degree of richness that brings it in line with the Kosta Browne style, this very solid, medium-full-bodied wine is fully ripe and fairly lively at once. It is just tight enough to warn off hasty drinking, but it is anything but coarse or crude and will in no way offend if poured in its youth, but even a brief stay in the cellar will pay dividends...” (10/2015)

“Harvest between September 6th and October 2nd, the 2013 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is a flat out gorgeous Pinot Noir that offers tons of black raspberries, crushed flowers and spice-like characteristics on the nose. Seeing 16 months in 40% new French oak, it has a polished, creamy, sexy texture, yet backs it up with terrific mid-palate depth and a great finish. It should be at its best in another year or so and have a decade or more of longevity. It's just as good as a number of the more expensive single vineyards releases. (JD)” (10/2015)

“Rustic and edgy, in an alluring style, with a crushed rock minerality to the vivid dark berry, raspberry and subtle earth and herb touches. The finish gains momentum and carries the flavors a long way. (JL)” (08/2015)

“As a group, Kosta Browne's Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots are particularly successful in 2013, and, even in this, the winery's basic appellation bottling, that success is palpable. The wine is fleshy and lithe with a wealth of ripe, well-defined, black cherry fruit, and while it may not be quite as deep as those from Garys' and Rosella's vineyards, it tempers its ready richness with a bit of tailoring that affords it a sense of polish and poise all its own. It is sure to tempt early drinking but is balanced to last and will hold up effortlessly for many years. *Two Stars*” (10/2015)

“A dark, fleshy wine, the 2013 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is all about texture and exuberance. Black cherry, plum, smoke, spice and new leather abound. Beams of refreshing acidity give the 2013 a palpable sense of energy and vitality to the flavors. (AG)” (05/2015)

“Harvest from September 10th to October 10th, the 2013 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a sexy, supple and textured effort that has lots of jammy dark fruits, licorice and toasted spice. Surprisingly textured and rounded, it has terrific purity and a hard-to-resist personality. (JD)” (10/2015)

“Delivers a pure, focused core of wild berry, raspberry, gravel, anise, dried herb and savory notes that are pleasantly tannic. The fruit pushes through in the end, finishing in a juicy, mouthwatering manner. (JL)” (08/2015)

“Red-fleshed stone fruits, crushed flowers and sweet spices are some of the notes that are pushed forward in the 2013 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. Overall, this is a decidedly forward, juicy Sonoma Coast Pinot built on opulent fruit and near-term appeal. The 2013 is mostly Gap's Crown fruit, which is now an estate vineyard for KB. (AG)” (05/2015)