Kosta Browne Winery : Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

A Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with Wild Flower and Cherry Aromas

The Kosta Browne Winery was first established in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. The estate produces Pinot Noir wines in the Sonoma region of California, sourcing grapes from the best terroirs of three prestigious appellations – the Sonoma Coast, the Russian River Valley and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The Kosta Browne portfolio includes a wonderful selection of Pinot Noir wines - appellation wines and single-vineyard cuvées from family vineyards and the estate's own vines. The Gap's Hill Pinot Noir 2014 is made from grapes sourced from Kosta Browne's own Gap's Crown vineyard in the Sonoma Coast appellation. This 37 acre vineyard has been part of the estate since 2006 and is home to a variety of clones planted on north/east-facing plots. The terroir here is characterized by steep hillsides and a late season fog that becomes trapped, keeping temperatures cool enough for a gradual ripening of the fruit. The grapes were fermented in 5-ton open tops and 1-ton wood open tops for 9-11 days, with 16% of the wine both fermented and aged in concrete, while 25% aged in new French oak for 16 months.

At the tasting, the Gap's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 by Kosta Browne Winery offers a bouquet of wild flowers, cherries and huckleberries on the nose, which are followed closely by complex notes of truffle and cocoa. On the palate, this Californian Pinot Noir wine reveals a precise and very rich texture, with initial flavors of dark cherries and berries, which evolve into notes of citrus peel and fennel. The wine's very fine tannic structure defines the finish, which is long, smooth and very satisfying.