In 1997, founders Dan Kosta and Michael Browne collaborated together while working at John Ash Restaurant in Santa Rosa, California to create their first wine. They were able to combine their tips and craft one barrel of Pinot Noir. Later on in 2001 they teamed with partner Chris Costello to develop a marketing plan and sell their wine. Along the way they gathered 19 investors and were off to the races. They were late to bottle the 2003 vintage, resulting in longer ripening of the fruit, more barrel aging and microfiltration. The 2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noirs received praise and high scores from wine writer James Laube of the Wine Spectator.

Sourced from one of California’s most iconic vineyards, this wine is aged for 17 months in French Oak Barrels (21% new) with an additional month aged in stainless steel. This opaque-ruby beauty opens with a floral bouquet of crushed purple violets and a whisper of intoxicating scents of lavender. It is juicy and mouth-filling with decadent black and blue fruits wrapped with accents of sweet herbs and sagebrush. It glides effortlessly across the palate, giving way to dark espresso, mocha, crushed stone and toasted vanilla bean. There is wonderful purity and freshness to this wine that continue into its long and lengthy finish.

By W Peter Hoyne