2017 Vintage Tasting Notes

Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our Appellation Series wines are a study in terroir with soulful elegance and energetic intensity.

Sixty-five miles north of our winery in Sebastopol, CA, is the critically acclaimed AVA of Anderson Valley. This rural, unparalleled location has had a history of producing world-class wines, and we are thrilled to release the third vintage of this Appellation Series blend. We sourced from a variety of vineyards within the appellation, creating an extensive representation of an Anderson Valley blend.

To capture the rustic beauty of this region and retain freshness, the wine was fermented predominantly in stainless steel, further creating a striking Pinot Noir. Intense aromas of juicy black cherry, cranberry, and blueberry are enhanced by the expansively layered palate and uplifting acidity. Intense richness with a captivating texture draws the wine to a long finish, resulting in a signature Kosta Browne Pinot Noir.

Fact of Note: Introduction of The Narrows and Confluence vineyards to the blend.

The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is the twang of a great bluegrass tune.”

Julien Howsepian, Winemaker

pH 3.69

Alcohol 13.5%

78% stainless steel

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Cerise, Ferrington, Gowan Creek, Confluence, and The Narrows
CLONES 2A, 115, 667, 777, Pommard
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Bearwallow complex

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 78% stainless steel, 17% concrete, 5% wood
ÉLEVAGE 38% new French oak for 15 months, 30% wood cask for 14 months
ALCOHOL 13.5%
pH 3.69
TA 5.6 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Intense dark cherry, cranberry, and fresh market blueberries with rustic, floral notes of wild rose.
MOUTH Expansive, with a layered depth of fruit. An undeniable richness with broad structure and beautiful texture. A signature KB style.

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2020 kosta browne sta rita hills pinot noir

Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our Appellation Series wines are a study in terroir with soulful elegance and energetic intensity.

A microclimate that began 20 million years ago is nothing short of a miracle. Over the years, tectonic plate movements caused mountains to rise out of the ocean, break off the plate, and rotate clockwise, creating one of the most defined, transverse ranges on the Pacific Coast. This distinctive feature of the purely East/West maritime mouth funnels cooling coastal fog and wind to the vines. Sta. Rita Hills is one of the world’s best cool-climate growing regions of Pinot Noir.

The 2020 Sta. Rita Hills harvest began two weeks earlier due to several heat spikes throughout the summer and extended an additional five weeks due to slow ripening conditions which led to high quality and character development of the grapes. Bursting with vibrant red fruit, baking spice, and an earthy core, this fascinatingly layered wine is delightfully unique.

Fact of Note: Larger yields enabled higher utilization of concrete and wood fermentation vessels.

The Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir has an electronic music flair dancing out of the glass.”

Julien Howsepian, Winemaker

TA 5.8 g/L

pH 3.64

47% new French oak