2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Cohn - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/1/2007)
WIML90?,NOWA,WS92

Tasted July 1, 2007 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Balloon Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, black licorice, black currants and a little rose petal on the finish. Big and jammy like on the palate with chewy black currants and black licorice. Medium acidity, firm tannins and full bodied. Needs more time in bottle so hold. (90 pts.)

A pinot that drinks much like a syrah imo. The 15% alcohol was showing on the nose for sure.

I enjoyed this wine, but would also hold and see if the rough edges might round out a little.

Thanks for the notes Joe. I’m still testing the ‘03 blends before touching my SV’s and they both still need an hour or 2 decant time before strutting their stuff. No doubt the Cohn could use more time as well.

I also have a strong feeling about who brought this wine.

I sure as heck didn't bring it!

Cracked this one tonight, poured immediately. Garnet-purple color. Explosive, intense aromas of cherries, licorice and cocoa; over the course of an hour hints of cranberry and a certain mintyness began to develop. Flavors are of the black cherry persuasion with a strong, underlying floral element. Full bodied and complex, with a noticable acidic streak. A touch of stemmy dryness and a good dash of heat cost this wine a few points. Drink or hold up to 4 years. 91-93, depending on your ABV tolerance.

"A pinot that drinks much like a syrah imo" - agreed, drinks like a cool climate syrah.

On another note, I drank this wine, one I had been looking forward to for some time, tonight with some take-out from the local pizza joint. Specifically, we had it with a spinach/black olive calzone and a chicken/bacon/ranch pizza, thin crust. It worked like a charm. I find myself pairing "special" wines like this KB with "ordinary" take-out quite often. I feel like with these high ABV Cali wines, foods like these are the perfect match. Pizza and calzones seem to elevate these certain CA PNs and Syrahs much more so than when I drink them with fancy food at one of those catchy one-word-name restaurants.