Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This 2010 is in tip-top form.

Beautiful, ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum/black plum for days, cherries, strawberries, raspberries & some pomegranate highlights. Cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg & soft vanillin, black teas, mid berry cola, both licorices, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped black tea, limestone minerals, some charcoal, pepper, grilled meats, dark spice w/ heat, sandalwood to cedar, dark, withering flowers with violets, grand acidity and a balanced, well tensioned/structured, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on spice.

Even adding the plum reduction sauce, the 2011 Burnello is still the better pairing.

Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, founders-Dan Kosta & Mike Browne and their barrel & tasting room. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.8

Wow. Just amazing nose- roses, plum, red flowers, lifted cherry. Heartbreakingly beautiful and lifted. The palate is still pure and intense. Defined with incredible limpid definition… violets and length. Wonderful — 18 days ago

with Walker and David

Louis Martin

9.3

Lovely bouquet, long finish. Cherry and cinnamon, well balanced, paired nicely with Beef Wellington. — 3 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was drinking beautifully with rich red cherry, spice, earth, mineral & violets — 5 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

La paulee ultimo dia at le pre cheval — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Fading at the edges. Beautiful soft dried herbs, wild strawberry, tang. Translucent and precise on the palate. Complex and delicious and long mature note and hauntingly pretty — 18 days ago

with Walker and David

Chris Miles

9.6

Simply delectable. Such a full flavor and on the dry end for a Pinot noir. My wife and I loved — 9 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

A pristine bottle tonight, and I particularly love the vintage for the producer, as it captures the perfect balance of richness and focus. It’s exceptionally detailed, powerful and layered with lemon cream pie-white flower aromatics with a deep, creamy and mineral inflicted palate. In top shape, and may even outlast the surrounding 10/12 vintages which are almost always premoxed. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour or so. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2009 seems to break from the reputation of the vintage with a freshness and verve that surprises. The typical quality of Cristal is there with its persistent mousse and attractive texture. Good acid too. Pretty tasty stuff and I’m not sure I would ever turn down a glass of this. Drink now through 2039. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened and decanted hours prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1989 appears a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and dried fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed dried flowers, some cocoa, pencil shavings, dried green herbs, a touch of leather, some organic and gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Fabulous stuff with plenty of fuel left in the tank. Drink now through 2039. — 17 days ago