2016 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Thorn Ridge Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Pinot Noir Thorn Ridge Ranch aged 14 months in 16% new French oak. It has a pale to medium ruby color and opens with intriguing scents of white pepper, aniseed, dried tree bark and bitters notions with dried citrus peel, potpourri and a red berry core. Light to medium-bodied and silky, it offers intense, amaro-laced layers with a grainy frame and addicting acidity, finishing long and nuanced. I love the understated intensity and pleasant bitter character of this classically styled Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 300 cases were made.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From a site in the West Sebastopol region, the 2016 Pinot Noir Thorn Ridge has cool-climate notes of Christmas spice, pinewood, forest floor, and perfumed red fruits. Medium-bodied, lightly textured, and incredibly elegant, it shines for its complexity and delicate style more than for power and richness. Winemaker Nico Cueva continues to fine tune his approach at Kosta Browne, experimenting with new vinification and aging vessels. While the wines were richer and more upfront in the past, today, they have slightly more freshness and tension while not abandoning the beautiful fruit and texture that defines California wines. As I hope these notes show, these are distinctive, singular wines up there with the crème de la crème of the region.
The 2016 Pinot Noir Thorn Ridge, from a site in the Sebastopol Hills, is perfumed and light on its feet. Sweet dark cherry, mint, violet and spice are nicely layered in this bright, chiseled wine. Above all else, the Thorn Ridge is a wine of precision and nuance. This is very nicely done.
About the producer
Kosta Browne is one of California's most acclaimed wineries, renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that express the character of top vineyard sites across Sonoma and beyond. Combining meticulous sourcing with thoughtful winemaking, the wines offer richness, precision, and remarkable sense of place.