Please comment if I have inaccuracies in the information below as sometimes I can't read my notes too well.      There was a large group of folks at this tasting so I'm sure someone has more info than I've included.

• 2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/10/2008)
  Tasted during a Kosta Browne Winery visit; This wine was a lighter color than previous vintages, slightly cloudy (not bottled yet??) and almost dry. M. Browne mentioned that this was lower alcohol than previous vintages. This wine is probably more similar to the 2005 than the 2006 and will probably improve once it is bottled. (87 pts.)

Michael then wanted us to taste various barrel samples that go into their PNs both Appellation and Single Vineyard Designates.

2007 O'Neil Barrel Sample

2007 Terra de Promiso Barrel Sample

2007 Gap's Crown (Swan) Barrel Sample

2007 Gap's Crown (whole cluster) Barrel Sample
This was free-run juice with whole clusters. Michael liked this one a lot. This sample was tannic and Michael indicated that this contributes to aromatic complexity and texture to whatever wine it is blended into.

2007 Keefer Ranch Barrel Sample
This wine includes six different PN clones. This was very dark and heavy on the palate but very rich. Michael indicated that they are targeting less alcohol in the 13-15% range for this wine and thought this was ~14%.

2007 Keefer (co-fermented) Barrel Sample
This was from 114/777 clones that were picked from the sunniest side of the vineyard at 25 Brix and co-fermented. A very dark color that Michael mentioned he is seeing in several of the wines from this vintage. This had a very high spice component with concentrated spicy aromas and flavors.   Again a ~14.8% alcohol target.

2007 Keefer (Pommard) Barrel Sample
Bad notes on this one – 50% Pommard 5/50% 115 Keefer (???). All I wrote for notes is that this one had a clipped finish.

2006 Keefer from bottle
Lighter with more perfume aromas than previous vintages. Slightly clipped on the finish. 15.1% alcohol.

Note from the previous evening:

• 2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (2/9/2008)
  Tasted at the 2nd Annual Freeman Caves Dinner for VinoCellar.com - (Sonoma area, California). Dark clear ruby color with big oak, spice and a candied note. Remarkably smooth and complex for just being bottled and with very little perceptible heat on the finish. More acid present than in the Kanzler but less candied. This may be the single vineyard designate to watch in 06. No rating as these have only been in bottle two weeks (bottled late Jan 08). 91-92 points??

2006 4 Barrel from bottle  (need to find my note on this one)

2006 Rosellas from bottle
Only bottled two weeks ago in late January 08. I think palate fatigue was starting to set in as all I wrote was HOT! on the finish. 15-15.2% alcohol.

2007 Gary's (neutral oak) Barrel Sample
2007 Gary's (medium toast oak) Barrel Sample
2007 Gary’s in Gamba oak
These were all different but all shared the very dark Gary’s color. The Gamba oak was the most aromatic with more of a perfume on the nose. 

2006 4 Barrel, Barrel Sample

At this point Michael said he was going into the “Library” and wanted to know if we wanted to see it. Less than 30 seconds later we ran into the “Library” to look at some large format bottles and barrels. The pictures of Michael on the ladder are during this portion of the morning.

2002 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Cohn

• 2002 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Cohn - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/10/2008)
  Tasted during a Kosta Browne Winery visit; Dark ruby with a brownish tinge; Definitely secondary with interesting aromas and flavors. If I had any more of these in the cellar I would put them in the drinking queue. 90+ (90 pts.)

2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Cohn

• 2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Cohn - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/10/2008)
  Tasted during a Kosta Browne Winery visit; This was opened as there was some discussion of posts on the Parker board that this wine is DOA. While I don't think this wine is DOA it was showing very "sweet" with way too much alcohol on the finish. Not decanted so it is possible this needed some air to open up. (90 pts.)

• 2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/10/2008)
  Tasted at a Kosta Browne winery visit; The showing of this wine makes me wonder about bottle variation. This bottle showed "sweet" with a completely clipped finish. Worse was the complete lack of fruit and harsh bitterness on the finish. (86 pts.)

2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel

• 2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/10/2008)
  Tasted during a Kosta Browne Winery visit; The end to a great tasting at KB. The last few times I've had this wine it did not show as well as the earlier bottles. This bottle was different - 4 Barrel was in the house and taking no prisoners. Even after a long tasting session it was clear that this wine was very, very good. A nit would be the slight heat on the finish. This bottle lived up to its early potential. 92+ (92 pts.)

 
Thanks to Michael for giving up a huge chunk of his Sunday for this tasting. This was a great tasting and so interesting to see the science and art that goes into the complex task of winemaking.