TNS: 2004 Kosta Browne Review

WINE TALK
1

Did the age ability review of 2004 KB this weekend at the coast. My impressions are they can be in it for the long haul…




No loss with age here. If you like aged Pinot Noir, based on this bottle, five years is a must. A velvety mixture of Cherry, Strawberry, and spice. This certainly has more depth right now than the Russian River with loads of layers including tea leaf and a hint of vanilla. Just a ton of fun to drink at this point. 3 more in the cellar and waiting patiently another 12 months.

EtOH 14.7% (92 pts.)

After hearing reports of this vintage going over the hill I was extremely happy with this. A bright cherry palate was the shining star but the real treat is finding that the oak has integrated nicely giving this bottle a beautiful balance. The alcohol has also backed off to the fruit as the fruit dominated the finish with no heat. This was my final bottle but would have no problem aging more if I had them. 15.2% EtOH (91 pts.)

The first KB Syrah I had was this bottle up on Howell Mountain nearly two years ago. I thought it was the worst showing wine of the night. I thought it was out of balance, and maybe even an off bottle. Things have changed in a few years and I believe out of all the KB bottles the Syrah may benefit the most from the aging. While I don’t think it compares to the Pinot’s it’s very good. A ripe Syrah with tons of Blackberry and Blackcurrant. A nice peppery mid-palate lifts the enjoyment but where it drops is the heat on the back end. Looking forward to these over the next months.

15.1% EtOH (86 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Brandon,

Thanks for the KB info! [cheers.gif]

3

Haven’t had one of these in a while. Thanks for the progress report!

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I’m not sure I’d call 2004’s that ‘old’, necessarily, but it does counter much of the opinion here that KB’s are meant to be consumed immediately on release. I know the '05’s I have had this calendar year were fantastic.

I wonder about the '06’s, as the issue I have with the appellation bottlings I own is that they are super, mega hot. Alcohol doesn’t go away, so I don’t know how these will age, unless the fruit emerges stronger than it is currently and overpowers the alcohol or something…

5

I’m not sure the 06’s are going to age that well either but I’m going to give it a go. The '05 Merry Edwards Flax I had this weekend was drinking very well and most '05s I’ve had, including the Small Vines RRV, have been drinking spectacular. I’m going to try to push the decade mark with most of my '07s.

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very helpful notes here, brandon. thanks! [good.gif]

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Thanks for the notes and thoughts.

J

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Brandon,
We popped an '04 KB Amber Ridge Syrah last night and the flavor profile was as you said but I didn’t get the heat you mentioned. I found it much more enjoyable than the first time we tried it and I think in another year it will be even better.

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C. - Without the heat I would have gone 90 on it.

10

One of my 2 biggest issues with KB wines. The other is the huge dominating sweet fruit …of course YMMV. Just one palate’s opinion.

11

Is KL on crack?

I almost put this in it’s own post but I guess I can put it here instead.

2004 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - SKU 1033671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2004 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - SKU 1033670" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$169 for the 04 RRV and $160 for the 04 SC.

No - these are not magnums. I buy a lot from KL but this is cocobananas…

12

How long have you seen them for sale? I wonder if they’re getting those prices.

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This just came up in their email blast today.

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And the fact that they are sold out (the RRV, not the SC) now tells me that some people will pay anything. Better not been one of those wankers complaining about the $4 price hike.

15

No kidding.

16

Does KL buy from private individuals?? [shock.gif]

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They do purchase private cellars for resale.

18

I wonder if they would be interested in a couple of cases of KB for the bargain price of $100/btl.

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Their KB pricing is always incredibly high compared to all the other allocated wines they get.

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How does K&L work? Were those bottles in the San Francisco store or a warehouse?