Today we share a legendary producer of California Pinot Noir. Kosta Browne began with Dan Kosta and Michael Browne who started out working at a local restaurant in 1997. Short on funds, Michael developed relationships with key growers in Northern California, while Dan, along with the help of a third partner, Chris Costello, worked to market and sell the wines. In 2011 Kosta Browne jumped on the world stage as they were named Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year with their 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
Winemaker Julien Howsepian has been at the helm now for five years. I’ve loved these wines over the years and the new outstanding releases come from the slightly cooler 2023 vintage. I adore the 2023 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has plenty of salty red fruits with stony undercurrents. The Pinots start at $120.00 SRP. Learn more about this outstanding winery at kostabrowne.com and here are my reviews of the new Kosta Browne wines.
2023 Kosta Browne ‘Mt. Carmel’ Pinot Noir- Heady and delicious, with great rocky character the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Mt. Carmel’ Pinot Noir offers potpourri and bay leaf notes that combine with kumquat zest and marionberry notes. The palate is rich and generous with serious nerve. Showing plenty of mouth-watering acidity and weight, as well as length, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2023 Kosta Browne ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in the Santa Lucia Highlands as this utilizes clones 777, 828 and Pisoni. It offers aromatics of purple flowers and mandarin orange rind alongside sweet pipe tobacco and cola notes. The palate is lush and round on the mouth with great freshness and richness. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2023 Kosta Browne ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A show-stopping new Pinot Noir, the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this site that neighbors the Pacific Ocean. This wine was sourced from ten vineyard blocks and it comes off plush and mineral-laden on the tongue. A gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits greets you alongside salty and rocky soils and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2023 Kosta Browne ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- Powerful and heady, with serious texture, the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir comes from mainly the Gap’s Crown and Marshall Vineyards. It is loaded with sea salt dusted red fruits that mingle well with tobacco and orange peel notes. Showing outstanding weight and length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 95