2017 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

Brought up mostly in stainless steel (19% in open-top oak tanks), the appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills from this terrific estate is a beautiful effort. Ripe cherries, raspberries, spice box, and forest floor notes all emerge from this elegant, balanced, incredibly classic Pinot Noir that has the charm and fruit to shine today, yet the class to evolve for over a decade. I normally review the wines from Kosta Browne in the Sonoma report, yet I wasn’t able to taste with winemaker Nico Cueva this go around, so I was thrilled to be able to taste this Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir for the Central Coast report. The wines don’t come cheap, yet they certainly deliver the quality.

This has a vibrant array of red cherries and some sappy nuances that lead to a palate that has a sleek, fluid and juicy feel. Very round and very complete, plush and attractive. Drink now.

Aged 15 months in 42% new French oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills has a medium ruby-purple color and gives up cinnamon toast, raspberry coulis, macerated strawberries and rosewater perfume with accents of musk, lilac, blood orange and scorched earth—what a gorgeous perfume! Medium-bodied, it slowly builds in amplitude in the mouth, releasing gobs of perfumed red berry fruits. It has a sturdy but finely grained frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long, layered and fantastically perfumed. Wow!