Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 1997 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of cherry lozenges, star anise, leather, horse blanket, black pepper, organic earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I recently got to spend some time with Ren and Marilyn Harris of Paradigm and he shared with me that he thought Zinfandel was a variety that has the potential of being longer lived than Cabernet Sauvignon. I didn’t argue with him. Anyway, this is a killer Rafanelli Zinfandel that is aging ever so gracefully. Drink now through 2037. — 2 days ago

Tom Heckert

9.1

Earthy on the nose (like a pinot should) strawberries and leather. Full body finish. Paired with hangar steak and veal chop. — 16 days ago

Teresa Silva

9.0

Very dry, good! — a day ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This 2010 is in tip-top form.

Beautiful, ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum/black plum for days, cherries, strawberries, raspberries & some pomegranate highlights. Cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg & soft vanillin, black teas, mid berry cola, both licorices, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped black tea, limestone minerals, some charcoal, pepper, grilled meats, dark spice w/ heat, sandalwood to cedar, dark, withering flowers with violets, grand acidity and a balanced, well tensioned/structured, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on spice.

Even adding the plum reduction sauce, the 2011 Burnello is still the better pairing.

Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, founders-Dan Kosta & Mike Browne and their barrel & tasting room. — 14 days ago

Ron R

9.3

Celebrating the day when fathers can reflect on what’s next with their families and children. Carpe Diem! — 13 days ago

with Anne-marie

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — a month ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

It’s got that CA profile. Dusty earth and tooti frooti but also has some good spice. But yea, that CA profile. Elegant, sweet and balanced. Not big but small and pure. Nice. — 8 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Very tasty and fruit forward Pinot with a nice backbone of soft tannins. Not super complex, but very drinkable and enjoyable as a big boned California Pinot — 9 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Deep Ruby, purple edges, youthful aromas of black fruit, spices, floral and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with some vanilla and tobacco and herbal notes. Vivid acidity, firm tight tannins with long finish ending with a vibrant character, a bit young, should benefit from bottle aging. — a month ago

Kamall

9.1

Lovely with a long decant — a month ago