VINEYARD Koplen
CLONES 667
ORIENTATION North/South
TRELLISING Bi-lateral cordon
SOIL Arbuckle (alluvial)
HARVEST September 16-21, 2009
FERMENTATION 1-ton bins / 5-ton wood tank open-top / 5-ton open top / Cold soak for 9 days on average / Ferment for 9 days on average
OAK 55% new French oak / 16 months
ALCOHOL 14.6%
pH 3.63
TA 5.90 g/L
AROMA
An exciting mixture of briary blackberry and black cherry fill the glass. Exotic spices intermingle with the lush berries. Intense is an understatement!
PALATE
Rich and well-structured. A core of blackberry and raspberry envelope the midpalate. Layers of succulent dark fruits are beautifully balanced with acidity, spice and minerality. The alluring finish lingers with perfect elegance.
The Koplen Vineyard lies in the Middle Reach of the Russian River appellation, just east of Olivet Road. Planted all to Dijon Clone 667 Pinot Noir, this slightly sloped vineyard shows bold fruit with complex flavors. Dennis and Lynn Koplen farm their vineyard with meticulous care, often calling the vines their “girls”. We know no other vineyard owner who personally spends as much time as Dennis and Lynn in the vineyard. The wine certainly shows their personality and level of dedication. Kosta Browne is privileged to be the only producer that has ever had access to the fruit from this special property.
THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY IS hallowed ground for lovers of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the vines are submersed in clockwork fog and daytime temperature swings, which preserve the natural acidity essential to elegant, age-worthy wines. We work with a handful of the most beloved vineyards from this remarkable wine region considered by many to be the heartland of California Pinot Noir.
Within Russian River Valley, in a town tucked away from the main roads, you’ll find a community ranging from writer to artisan. The town of Graton is an area where local winemakers and growers take a respite and enjoy some of the many popular yet under-the-radar restaurants. During harvest, the little town is full of life and bustling.
