Robert Ahlstrom

9.2

Nice Pinot with good balance — 2 years ago

Paco Suro

9.1

Yummy. Jammy. — 5 years ago

Brett Banfield

9.3

Classic RR nose. Still a ton of soft acidity. Taste was grassy and lemon zest. Cold taste.... — 6 years ago

with Bobbi

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.3

Tasted blind, my guess was significantly older than 11 years. Brick red, port-like nose. Maybe stored improperly? Not bad, just confusing.. I've had better 4-Barrel. — 10 years ago

Veronica S

9.4

2005. Can't believe that's 10 years old!! Soft Jasmine on the nose, some kind of fruit.... It's so good I have no words to describe it. — 10 years ago

with David

Michael Kotrady

9.5

Kosta what? Patz & who? — 11 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Pale ruby color. Aromas of blackberry, herbs and smoky oak. Fantastic dark cherry, violet, and cranberry notes with a silky finish. — 2 years ago

Steve Medbery

9.5

Stunning. Love the pure 667 clone. Strawberry with floral notes. — 5 years ago

Laith A

9.3

This needs a little more time but really good now.. melted chocolate with muddled black and blueberries... — 6 years ago

Kirk F

9.5

Happy birthday to me! Well, to Mrs Feyereisen as well. Celebrating tonight before heading overseas for 10 days and what a bottle this was. Kosta Browne is always special but this may have been my favorite - cola and cherry notes ride along a finish that sails on for at least a minute. Lucky to have snagged a handful of these last summer. Cheers all! — 7 years ago

David Schoonover

9.4

Excellent Pinot. The Kosta Browne team nailed it — 8 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.3

Kosta Brown esque. Cherries and juicy. Drinking nicely. — 9 years ago

with Mike

Ian Burrows

Sommelier Atelier Crenn

9.4

Rollin' the Deiss!
This wine needs time in decanter. Slightly (and pleasantly) oxidized. Very traditionally crafted... there's a lightness to the texture and savory earthy character. No powerhouse Pinot. Not for the Kosta Browne lovers. My type of PN. — 9 years ago

Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.2

Finally trying Cherry Pie (from Hundred Acre). 3 different single vineyard Pinots from 2012. Stanly Ranch is dynamite (and a vineyard to keep an eye on). Reminiscent of Kosta Browne. Next up is Rodgers Creek. Darker fruit. Less explosive, but a nice wine. Third up is Carinalli. Way lighter, though some spice to it. It's fine, but doesn't hold a candle to the other two. (Thanks Mastro's in Scottsdale for hosting me!) — 9 years ago

Brian Duffy

9.0

Named for the wives of Dan Kosta and Emeril Lagasse, this Pinot is not readily available, yet quite enjoyable with the bacon wrapped Pork tenderloin at Mayacama. — 10 years ago

Rhonda Mayeda

9.5

A really enjoyable Pinot ...thanks, son.
— 10 years ago

with Ryan and Donna

Chris Krueger

9.7

Serious stuff. Juicy dark cherry. The benchmark Pinot in CA alongside KB, though much denser than Kosta. — 10 years ago

Lyle Coffield

Sommelier Kokkari, Evvia Estatorios

9.5

Holy Cow!!!! Ulysses managed vineyard... Coastal influence. This is a winner for sure. Kosta brown for half the price. — 11 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Chef Charlie Palmer's Pigs & Pinot Sonoma annual weekend event:
Ultimate pinot smackdown Sat afternoon.

4 master somms present 4 of their fav pinots and try to sell you on their choice.

Wines: Bruliam, Pig Named Stella, Resonance, Kosta Browne, Blue Farm, Lucia, Tendril, Dakel, Arista, Foxen, Antica Terra, Dalrymple, La Rochelle, Melville, Gramercy, Copain..16 tastings about 2 bottles of wine per person...ooooccchhh!

Winner:
Lucia vineyard - 2021 Soberanes vineyard
Runner up:
Blue Farm wines - 2019 Anne Katherine vin. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Jay Eagan

9.1

This is Dan Kosta (Kosta Brown) new label. It’s a good example of Sonoma with raspberry and cherry tones with a brightness and acidity that work great with our spicy miso salmon. — 5 years ago

with Kristine

Ming L

9.0

Kanzler is primary a grower with Kosta Brown (its 2004 Kanzler Vineyard PN rated 98 points by WS, the highest ever for a US PN) their most prominent customer. With some juice coming from the same vineyard, this bottle is fantastic.

Initial burst of aroma of fresh strawberry, cherry, and blackberry slowly turned to mushroom, incense, and scent of violet. Oak is very well integrated. Lush yet lively palate with medium finish. 13 month in French oak, 40% new. Not cheap, but well worth the price. — 7 years ago

Kirk F

9.1

Tasty. A little over powered by the Kosta Browne but still a very nice effort. — 8 years ago

with Michael and Jeff

Courtney Bristol

9.0

Nice blend. — 8 years ago

El Guapo

9.5

Smells great. Like kosta — 9 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.1

Mining the cellar and came across these '06s...pleased this vintage has developed this well — 9 years ago

Beau Volley

9.5

Drinkable already. On the big dark side of pinot. Beautiful nose and mouthfeel. Great long finish. — 9 years ago

Peter Clausen

8.9

Had along side a bottle of Kosta Brown. It was tasty but did seem overly ripe compare to the Kosta. Overall good stuff but prefer a little more spice notes. — 10 years ago

Will Phelps

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.3

2011. A bit more restrained than what I'm used to from KB. Unexpectedly balanced. — 10 years ago

Randolfo Gumenick

10

Terrific at the open, silky smooth texture and very round and balanced with a nice long finish. Kosta Brown's elegant touch shows in the structure of this big subtly jammy syrah. Too bad there's probably no '04's available but I'm loving this wine. — 10 years ago