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The April 2020 Auction: Part 3

Auction # 602 | View Auction Schedule and Details
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Auction Ends: 4/16/2020 6:00:00 PM PDT

Lot #423. Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Giusti Ranch 2013

Description: Consists of 2 Bottles, 0.75L
Score: 95 WA.
"From the Russian River Valley and the newest single vineyard from this team (the first vintage was 2012), the 2013 Pinot Noir Giusti Vineyard is another big, rich, full-flavored Pinot Noir that gives up slightly lifted notes of dark fruits, graphite and peppery spice. Almost completely destemmed and aged 16 months in 40% new French oak, it’s a sensational Pinot Noir with terrific purity in its concentrated, layered and textured personality. It's superb today, but will cruise . . . . Based out of Sebastopol, Kosta Browne’s Dan Kosta, Michael Browne and Chris Costello continue to fashion a bevy of brilliant Pinot Noirs from a number of sites spread throughout California. The big news at this estate, however, was the purchasing of a controlling interest by J.W. Childs Associates out of Boston. Concerning the impact of this change to the wine, the winemaking remains untouched and nothing I heard during my visit gave me pause concerning the quality of this estate going forward. In addition, Browne and John Childs (the CEO of J.W. Childs Associates) have previously worked together in the past with their Cirq label (which I wasn’t able to taste for this report), so I think Kosta Browne lovers can rest easy. Going forward, this team is increasingly looking to own and farm their vineyards, so expect quality to hold steady or even increase. Looking at their 2013s, this was obviously a great vintage for this estate and all of the wines showed sensational purity and freshness paired with layered, nicely concentrated and textured profiles. I’d say it’s the finest lineup I’ve tasted from this estate." Wine Advocate #221, Oct 2015
Provenance: The Matelot Cellar
Lot Location: Orange County
Estimate: $130

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