2011 Darioush Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Sanguine and brooding in
dense layers of juicy black fruit, leather and tobacco, this is classic Napa
Valley Cabernet with an elegance at its core, that's also seamless, complex and
age-worthy. From relatively cooler sites in Oak Knoll and Mount Veeder, and a
cooler year too, this vintage sings for this producer, showing balance and pow-
er in equal measure.
Wine Enthusiast – 96 points
Donors: Thad and Elaine Malit
Value: $310
667 Kosta Browne Pinots! 2017 Russian River Pinot Noir and 2017 Sonoma
Coast Pinot Noir
2017 Russian River Pinot Noir - Aged 17 months in 45% new French oak, this
pale to medium ruby colored pinot opens with broody aromas of spiced cran-
berry sauce, crushed black cherries, loam, cumin seeds, dried leaves and a
classy framing of new oak spice with notions of orange peel and amaro. It's
medium-bodied and silky, offering plush, ripe fruits in the mouth with a grainy
frame and mouthwatering freshness, finishing very long.
Robert Parker - 93 points
2017 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - This fine pinot noir was aged for
10-17 months in 40% new French oak, 15% wood tanks and 6% concrete tanks.
Medium ruby, it's scented with black cherries, underbrush, pencil shavings and
dried tobacco leaves with notions of spice and red berry sparks. Light to medi-
um-bodied and earthy in the mouth, it has a pleasantly chalky frame and great
juicy freshness, finishing long.
Wine Enthusiast - 94 points
Donors: Sam and Lisa Kim
Value: $200
Wine and Spirits Auction
Main Event 2020
