My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to find six bottles of 2003 Sonoma Coast a couple years ago. I tried to buy the whole case at my local store but the owner was saving the other six bottles for himself. I have now opened two. The first time I had this wine we shared it with some friends and we also opened two other highly reviewed domestic pinots in 2005. The Kosta Browne was everyone's favorite. The wine was notable for its complexity and deft balance of earth and fruit and it was so much more interesting than the others. It was like having lobster next to canned tuna. Then, in the summer of 2006, we opened a bottle of the Sonoma Coast with a 2002 Pommard Epenots. The Sonoma Coast killed the burg, which was again well reviewed, but thin and insipid in comparison. (And usually when drinking burgundy I am reminded of the adage likening yacht ownership to standing in a cold shower tearing up hundred-dollar bills). The Sonoma Coast is rich, concentrated, complex, and elegant with wonderful earthy notes (cedar, mushroom), licorice, and subtle fruit (raspberry, blackberry). I have tried to taste other KB's, but they are tough to find. I anxiously await my allocation of the 2005s (which, unfortunately, did not include the esteemed Kanzler). Cheers to these winemakers for their fantastic and captivating wines, not to mention the reasonable prices! What is your secret, KB?
2003 Sonoma Coast
My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to find six bottles of 2003 Sonoma Coast a couple years ago. I tried to buy the whole case at my local store but the owner was saving the other six bottles for himself. I have now opened two. The first time I had this wine we shared it with some friends and we also opened two other highly reviewed domestic pinots in 2005. The Kosta Browne was everyone's favorite. The wine was notable for its complexity and deft balance of earth and fruit and it was so much more interesting than the others. It was like having lobster next to canned tuna. Then, in the summer of 2006, we opened a bottle of the Sonoma Coast with a 2002 Pommard Epenots. The Sonoma Coast killed the burg, which was again well reviewed, but thin and insipid in comparison. (And usually when drinking burgundy I am reminded of the adage likening yacht ownership to standing in a cold shower tearing up hundred-dollar bills). The Sonoma Coast is rich, concentrated, complex, and elegant with wonderful earthy notes (cedar, mushroom), licorice, and subtle fruit (raspberry, blackberry). I have tried to taste other KB's, but they are tough to find. I anxiously await my allocation of the 2005s (which, unfortunately, did not include the esteemed Kanzler). Cheers to these winemakers for their fantastic and captivating wines, not to mention the reasonable prices! What is your secret, KB?