As (apparently) most KB fans already know, the winery is up to fourteen (or more?) different pinot noirs on offer with the latest vintage. I’ve enjoyed the KB wines I’ve had, but I can’t say I know much about what (from a character perspective) really differentiates one from the other.
I’ve read KB’s Appelation/Single Vineyard notes for several, and–of course–all of the wines are described in glowing terms (but of limited practical use.) Anyone care to share thoughts on differences, pluses, minuses, or their personal stack rank?
I’m not the most knowledgeable on the individual wines but if it will help, I will offer a general opinion. All KB wines have an overall similar style in the amount of fruit, alcohol and tannin. Blind tasting most of them, you would pick them out in style as KB. At the same time, you will notice the difference between Sonoma Coast and Russian River; Santa Lucia Highlands and Gary’s Vineyard. Each vineyard designate I’ve tasted has something singular from the others. While I like them all, I prefer Kanzler over Koplan for my particular taste and I haven’t tasted every single vineyard wine made.
In other words, buy them all and find out which ones you like, unless you like Burgundian wines. If you do prefer Burgundian wines, you may want to pass on them altogether and I won’t worry about my allocation being shorted.
Thanks Randy. I’ve grown to like certain Burgundies, but I also like California pinot noirs. While I understand both regions utilize the same grape, I enjoy them as if they are completely separate varietals.
Thanks for your insights on KB–your notes are essentially what I was looking for here. I’ve only had the opportunity to drink a couple of the appelation wines and maybe one or two of the vineyard specific ones. All have been enjoyable, but I did not perceive them to be significantly different. I guess I’ll just have to drink my way through them all and decide later which ones I prefer 
This much I can agree with!!
I used to buy one each of the “Russian River Valley” and “Sonoma Coast” bottlings when I was a customer. I definitely noticed a difference between the two and, in my opinion, the single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines were just too expensive for my pocketbook.
When my tastes shifted away from the Kosta Browne style, I still purchased a bottle or two of the appellation stuff and passed on the others. I found that the wines made a perfect gift for my sister-in-law, whose birthday fell right around the delivery date of the wines.
Nowadays, I just give her a card! 
I, for one, notice a difference in acid and spice between RRV and Sonoma Coast. And the three “K” vineyards have always been a great place to visit - Randy gave a great overview. I would also look for the Keefer Ranch vineyard bottling. It is a nice balance between RRV and SC.
A second for the K’s SVD wines here. I have also enjoyed their spin on the SLH wines (Gary’s, Pisoni and Rosella’s) I’ve been trying to branch out and seek other wines an the price point for these make it tough for me to get more then 2-4 per year between both offers but still fun to have when the mood strikes. I don’t know how particularly well they stand up in aging though as I’ve had some bottles that were in the 4-5 year window that I felt would have been a little better younger but perhaps it was something else that didn’t make it stand out for me. I would say some of them with a few years the overall flavors settle and don’t become as I think some would say “overly cola flavored, fruit bombs”
It depends a lot on your personal preference.
I still buy Kosta Brownes because it is my wife’s favorite PN. However, she has a definite preference for the PNs from the Sonoma Coast over the RRVs while I am also partial to those from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Therefore, I tend to buy the Sonoma Coast Appellation wines as well as the Kanzler, Gary’s, and Rosella Vineyard wines.
Has anyone tried the Sta. Rita Hills they are currently offering for $68?
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