2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge VineyardI

I took a trip to Manhattan yesterday to visit our offsite wine storage, and decided to pick up a bottle each of the entire 2006 Kosta Browne lineup.  In talking with Michael Browne on Facebook the other day, he seemed to hint that I should give the ‘06’s a whirl, so I am assuming that the thinks these are coming into their prime drinking window now.  Or maybe he is just feeling that the ‘06’s are started to fall off now.  Really hard to say as we all know that the ’06 vintage was underwhelming.  But even so, Dan Kosta and Michael Browne still seemed to make some darn good wines based on the vintage.
 
It’s kind of funny to see how people draw the line with Kosta Browne.  Either you love them, you hate them, or you have no opinion on them because you have never had them, yet for whatever reason, you decide to hate them. We just happen to fall into the “WE LOVE THEM” category.  When I am in the mood for a giant wine, and a giant pinot noir, I immediately think Kosta Browne, Loring, or Siduri.  All great wines, and all rather big on the palate!  When we’re in the mood for something like this, these wines fill that void!
 
Popped and poured tonight at Oliver-A Bistro in Bordentown, and it was singing from the get go.  As always, this wine had that so familiar Kosta Browne nose, which I have yet to find on any other wine.  There is just something so familiar and similar with their wines, and so distinctive.  Nice dark ruby color in the glass, with a nose dominated by cherry, some cola, and nice spices. 
 
On the palate, another big Kosta Browne, and just what the doctor ordered tonight as we were craving a big pinot!  Gorgeous cherries and cola on the palate, with subtle hints of odd red fruits, like pomegranate, cranberry, and even maybe some currants.  This really started to strut it's stuff when we were about 1/2 way through our last glasses, so it just shows that this needs some more bottle time, or a 2-4 hour decant.
 
Nice finish, with a bit of alcohol that seemed to blow off as the wine opened up.  We have two more, and we'll hold them for at least another year before checking in on them.  But even so, another good wine from Kosta Browne, even though this isn't my favorite vineyard from them.  91 points.  Cheers!