Kosta Browne Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

The 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was 90% destemmed and brought up in mostly neutral oak (French and Austrian). Its ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautiful bouquet of ripe strawberry and raspberry fruits interwoven with plenty of spice, flowery incense, and violet nuances. Ethereal, medium-bodied, and elegant on the palate, it has a terrific sense of balance, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's not a blockbuster Pinot by any measure yet has complexity, balance, and length. I'm a big fan.

Delightful aromas of pomegranate, rose petal, cherry, dark herb and crushed rocks show on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers black raspberry at the core with touches of light thyme, clinging to a tense texture and persistent acidity. Drink now through 2030.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a lovely wine whose aromas open gently to crushed strawberries and raspberries, tea leaves, dried orange peel and rose petals. The palate is light to medium-bodied, juicy, elegant and perfumed, with a very long, elegant finish and satiny texture.

Crushed raspberry and red currant flavors offer light floral accents in this refined style. Fresh minerality midpalate, with hints of dried thyme on the finish. Drink now through 2023. 3,100 cases made.