2017 Vintage - Kosta Browne

SIXTY-FIVE MILES NORTH OF OUR winery in Sebastopol, CA, is the critically-acclaimed little-known AVA of Anderson Valley. Over the past quarter-century, this region has emerged as the source for some of California’s most distinctive wines.

The Estate property, the Cerise Vineyard, is our focal point for the valley. We’ve been long-time fans of the region and are thrilled to be winegrowers here ourselves. Perched on the hills above Boonville in Mendocino County, these 26 blocks planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cascade over elevations running from 587 to 1620 feet. The warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights and mornings of the area coupled with unforgiving terrain result in thought-provoking wines that combine a rustic spirit with stunning energy and opulence.

Mendocino County

Facts of Note

YEAR AVA ESTABLISHED 1983

TOTAL VINEYARD ACRES 2,500

KEY VARIETIES Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

CLIMATE Prone to wide diurnal temperature variation

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our 2019 Appellation Series wines showcase what can be achieved from iconic sites in an exceptional vintage. Intricately structured with soaring flavors, this is a vintage not to miss.

A microclimate that began a mere 20 million years ago is nothing short of a miracle. 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, and remnants of marine sediment deposited during the Miocene Epoch is the soil base. But what makes this area truly unique is the purely East/West maritime mouth that 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 2019 season was windy, with heavy fog that didn’t break for roughly two weeks, which aided in optimal phenolic development of the grapes. As captivating as it is delicious, this wine has a robust and dynamic cool-factor, with intense fruit and spice notes continuing throughout the palate, building to a complex and polished finish.

Fact of Note: Very windy year with a lot of fog.

pH 3.67

100% stainless steel fermentation

44% new French oak
13 months

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Bentrock, Radian, John Sebastiano, Hilliard Bruce, Rita’s Crown, Mt. Carmel
CLONES 667, 777, 115, 2A, Swan, 828, 23
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Silica (D.E. marine-based soil)

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 100% stainless steel
AGING 44% new French oak for 13 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.67
TA 5.9 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Intense aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, and Rainier cherry. Underlying notes of cinnamon, lemon-thyme, and sarsaparilla.
MOUTH Powerful, with a rush of intense fruit, balanced by the complex texture. Polished, with well-integrated oak and a focused structure.

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our 2019 Appellation Series wines showcase what can be achieved from iconic sites in an exceptional vintage. Intricately structured with soaring flavors, this is a vintage not to miss.

There are many differences between vineyards in this small appellation, but the majority of them do share a common influence – the cooling effect that follows the Russian River inland from the Pacific coast. The resulting fog helps keep nights cool and offers vines a respite from daytime temperatures. In turn, these diurnal temperature swings slow down ripening and promote more evolved flavors in our grapes.

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with many great vineyards that span a diverse and varied view into a region that many would call the heartland of California Pinot Noir. Our goal is to create a wine that showcases the essence of this magical appellation. No matter the vintage, there are often fresh red fruit characteristics, a recognizably full mouthfeel, and texture to the wines from the area – a common thread to the components of this blend.

Fact of Note: New Rousseau wood fermenters were used.

Alcohol 14.1%

pH 3.69

86% stainless steel fermentation

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Bootlegger’s Hill, Giusti Ranch, Keefer Ranch, Silver Eagle, Treehouse, Klopp-Laguna, Moonshine, Winner’s Circle, Zio Tony
CLONES 115, 23, Pommard, Calera, 777, CC, Elite, 667, 828, 459
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goldridge

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 86% stainless steel / 14% wood
AGING 45% new French oak for 16 months / 4% new Austrian oak for 14 months / 10% wood cask for 12 months / 1% concrete for 12 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.69
TA 5.58 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Expressive red apple, raspberry, and pomegranate aromas excite alongside soft notes of lavender and spice.
MOUTH Lively texture, with a medium body and refined finish. Pristine.

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our 2019 Appellation Series wines showcase what can be achieved from iconic sites in an exceptional vintage. Intricately structured with soaring flavors, this is a vintage not to miss.

The marine influence that follows the Russian River inland from the Pacific coast is a powerful attribute of this region. The fog helps keep nights cool and offers the vines a well-deserved break from daytime temperatures. The collection of famous Chardonnay vineyards that we work with for this wine are located in the coolest parts of the Russian River Valley. Here, fruit can mature gracefully on the vine, which we find offers us more intensely focused flavors.

Individual pressed lots were fermented in barrel or foudres, all 100% native primary and malolactic fermentations, which adds depth and complexity to the finished wine. With brilliant clarity and a bouquet of green apple, pear, and persimmon aromas, this radiant Chardonnay makes a stunning first impression. The palate strikes a lovely balance between richness and bright acidity, with succulent orchard fruit flavors and a kiss of French oak carrying the wine to a long, shimmering finish.

Fact of Note: Native fermentation.

Alcohol 13.5%

47% stainless steel
4 months

27% new French oak
14 months

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Ritchie, El Diablo, Bootlegger’s Hill, Heintz, Flora Marie, Winner’s Circle, Keefer Ranch, Zio Tony
CLONES Hyde, Wente, Montrachet, Robert Young, 95, 548
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goldridge

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 78% barrel / 22% foudre
AGING 27% new French oak for 14 months / 22% wood cask for 12 months / 14% new Austrian oak for 14 months / Prior to bottling: 47% stainless steel for 4 months
ALCOHOL 13.5%
pH 3.32
TA 6.2 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Gorgeous mélange of quince, green apple, pear, and persimmon balanced by undertones of toast and delicate oak.
MOUTH Pure varietal characteristics with a balanced richness and bright acidity.

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our 2019 Appellation Series wines showcase what can be achieved from iconic sites in an exceptional vintage. Intricately structured with soaring flavors, this is a vintage not to miss.

Located on the eastern slopes of the coastal range that shelters the fertile Salinas Valley from Big Sur, this appellation is relatively new, with the first vineyards being developed only in the 1970s. Surprisingly, these central coast slopes are generally cooler than the Russian River Valley, largely due to the ocean breezes and fog coming in from Monterey Bay. The vineyards are sheltered by the coastal peaks that limit rainfall. Pinot Noir excels on these hillsides – which is why our travels took us here.

During the 2019 vintage, moderate winds from the Monterey Bay cooled the region, while ideal evening and morning fog lingered, attributing to the rich phenolic development, vibrant acidity, and thoughtfully refined tannins. Beautifully articulated layers of raspberry, blackberry, black licorice, and hints of citrus blossom leap from the glass, while the palate unfurls a dynamic tension and vitality, leading into a long and complex finish.

Fact of Note: The clones in this blend are Pommard, Pisoni, 777 and 828.

TA 5.44 g/L

pH 3.71

52% new French oak
14 months

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Soberanes, Sierra Mar, Pisoni, Rosella’s
CLONES Pommard, Pisoni, 777, 828
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Arroyo Seco and Chualar fine sandy loam

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 100% stainless steel / 3% whole cluster
AGING 52% new French oak for 14 months / 32% wood cask for 6 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.71
TA 5.44 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Vibrant raspberry and blackberry core, with hints of citrus. Classic Santa Lucia Highlands.
MOUTH Electrifying mouthfeel with exciting tension. Plush, with refined tannins and a refreshing cohesive palate.

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our 2019 Appellation Series wines showcase what can be achieved from iconic sites in an exceptional vintage. Intricately structured with soaring flavors, this is a vintage not to miss.

The Sonoma Coast appellation overlaps with that of the Russian River Valley in many places and is similarly shaped by the ocean. Local geology can be complex here, a direct result of being located at the intersection of two tectonic plates. For this wine, we find ourselves drawn to vineyards that are particularly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and are fortunate to work with some spectacular sites.

The vineyards we source from lie in both the southern portion of the appellation and in the northern true coastal zone. Together, they form a singular wine that is distinctly Sonoma Coast, dense, powerful, and with notes of blue fruit. In the southern area, the Petaluma Wind Gap and the San Pablo Bay drive cooler temperatures and provide us with deep flavors and richly textured wines. The vineyards from the coastal reaches contribute savory and spice characteristics that we love as well as great structure and poise.

Fact of Note: Variable & mild marine layer in July created a compact vintage.

TA 5.8 g/L

2% wood fermentation

6% new Austrian oak
14 months

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Sundawg Ridge, Winner’s Circle, Marshall, Jenkins, Gap’s Crown, Kanzler
CLONES 777, 114, Calera, 667, 23, Martini, 828, 115
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goldridge

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 98% stainless steel / 2% wood
AGING 40% new French oak for 16 months / 6% new Austrian oak for 14 months / 10% wood cask for 12 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.66
TA 5.8 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE Enticing aromas of fresh blueberries, blackberries, and lilacs envelop the senses, while delicate notes of baking spice and vanilla integrate seamlessly.
MOUTH Ripe blue fruit complements the precise balance of structure, layered acidity, and long, powerful finish.

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Experience

Appellation Series

2017 One Sixteen, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay

2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2017 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Single Vineyard Series

2017 Winemaker Series – 4-Barrel, California, Pinot Noir

2017 Thorn Ridge Ranch, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2017 Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir

2017 Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir

2017 Koplen Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Keefer Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Kanzler Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2017 Giusti Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir

2017 Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2017 El Diablo, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay

Estate Series

2017 Treehouse Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Cerise Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Cerise Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Chardonnay

2017 Bootlegger’s Hill, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir

2017 Bootlegger’s Hill, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay

Observations Series

2017 Mt. Carmel, Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Noir

2017 Laguna, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay

2017 Free James, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2017 Charles Ranch, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay

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Mendocino County

Facts of Note

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Monterey County

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Sonoma County

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Sonoma County

Facts of Note