Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and best on Day 2. The 2022 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits: currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, dry earth, a combo of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and a bit more tart than the nose previously suggested. So fresh right now. Drink now with patience; better after 2027 and through 2047. — a month ago
My yearly tradition. Pop n Pour off the UPS truck. Delicious. #myfavoritewine 2023 is elegant and full of everything A. Rafanelli is known for — a month ago
Cork giving out but why not after 19 years! Wine is escaping to fresh beauty with a little wet dog age that I like.
Holding her space in 2025
80% Zin, 16% Petite Syrah, 4% Carignane
14.7% is reigning it in on this varietal and well done! Doesn’t feel fire breathing at all 👏 — 17 days ago
Excellent zin. Brought back after we visited. One of my favorite California Zins. — 14 days ago
2021 vintage. Pleasant throughout and hit plenty of notes without screeching. The KB style has changed in the last few years. Gone are the mega-extracted pinots altho those are still around and holding up in the cellars/secondary market. Those older wines were a 10 on the volume scale. The last few vintages are closer to a 5. That said, this should hold up and develop nicely for a decade+ without issues. Those that don't think you can drink CA pinot noir over 4-5 years old are in for quite the surprise with quality producers. 04.18.25. — 22 days ago
Outstanding example of how a little age on the right wine can pay dividends. Seven years ago this wine was very good but hard to distinguish from other Kosta Brown vineyards. Today it has acquired charter comparable to a fine burgundy. Very pleased! — 9 days ago
Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — a month ago
Bob McDonald
A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. — 6 days ago