Vineyard: Koplen

AppellationRussian River Valley
Story5-acre vineyard planted entirely to Dijon clone 667 in the middle of the Russian River Valley AVA on the east side of Olivet Lane. The vineyard is the warmest location of all Kosta Browne grape sources and yields are vigorous, ranging from 3.5 to 3.7 tons per acre. The vineyard is farmed with passion by the owners. Kosta Browne is the only producer who has ever had access to fruit from this vineyard.
LocationMiddle Reach of the Russian River Valley, just east of Olivet Road.
AspectSlightly sloped.
VarietiesPinot Noir
Clones667
ManagersDennis Koplen, Lynn Koplen

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2012 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 980 cases, $84. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is not very expressive even with intensive swirling in the glass. Demure aromas of dark berries, smoke and oak finally emerge over time. More giving on the palate with a pleasing middleweight attack of blackberry and black raspberry fruit that hits the mid palate with a vengeance and then fills every nook and cranny of the mouth. The finish has numbing concentration. Typical Koplen, but the aromas haven’t arrived. Score: 91. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Kosta Browne 4 Barrel California Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.62, 98 cases, $78. Kosta Browne’s smallest lot but requires the most attention to detail. The four barrels are identified from 70 different lots, whittled down to the final four. There are no appellation or vineyard restrictions. 25% Gap’s Crown 667, 25% Koplen 667, 25% Keefer Ranch Pommard 5 and 25% Garys’ Pisoni. Average yield 2.1 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Patience is needed with this wine and decanting is recommended if you open now as it is the least approachable wine in the 2011 lineup. Slowly evolving nose, offering aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, and plenty of extroverted spice, reaching a crescendo after 30 minutes in the glass. Like all the 2011 Pinots from Kosta Browne, this wine is very soft in the mouth. Still a bit monotone and closed, the potential is obvious. Layered flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry and cassis with a dusting of oak and spice. Seamless, with excellent balance and length. This will be one helluva wine in a couple of years. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.60, 658 cases, $78. Vineyard is located in Middle Reach and is planted to Dijon clone 667. Farmed meticulously by Dennis and Lynn Koplen. Kosta Browne is the only producer to ever have access to fruit from this property. Yields 3.0 tons per acre. 12% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in 56% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddishpurple color in the glass. Always a very distinctive wine that is a hedonist’s delight. The aromas of dark berries and cassis with a hint of spice and oak draw you to the glass. The wine attacks the mid palate with a vengeance, seducing you with a blast of voluptuous blackberry and cassis fruit, carrying over to the powerful aromatic finish. Plenty of charm in this vintage. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 780 cases, $78. · Medium deep purple color in the glass. Bright and alive in the glass with aromas of earthy dark raspberries, sassafras and spice. Intense, but not too intense flavors of dark red and black berries with an attractive sauvage character. Well-balanced tannins, very soft in the mouth, finishing with echoes of gorgeous fruit. Plenty of fireworks in the mouth. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 678 cases, $72. · Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Scents of black cherries and berries with hints of oak, cedar and spice. Intense mid palate explosion of blackberry, ollaliberry, and black cherry. Herbal accents keep the wine savory. A palate staining, lush wine that is well framed by ripe tannins and bright acidity, finishing with a Hollywood ending (dramatic and memorable). Off the charts fruit intensity! Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc.. Clone 667. 25% whole cluster. · A very attractive wine with pretty scents of black raspberries, spice box and roses. Rich and big-boned, yet very smooth on the palate. Very good. Reviewed April 9, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.58, $72. All the fruit from the vineyard farmed by Dennis and Lynn Koplen goes to Kosta Browne. Dijon clone 667, 3.1 tons per acre. 18% whole cluster. · Always a wine of great interest that demands your full attention. Profusely perfumed with aromas of boysenberry jam and spice box. Full-blown hedonistic attack of dark berry and plum flavors that grab hold and persist throughout the flamboyant finish. Despite its big-boned character, the wine retains an appealing charm with a silky, almost ephemeral mouth feel. Quintessential KB. Reviewed March 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.61, 867 cases, $72. 5-acre vineyard owned and farmed by Dennis and Lynn Koplen located in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley appellation, and planted to clone 667. Kosta Browne is the only beneficiary of fruit from this vineyard. Cropped at 3.5 tons per acre. 30% whole cluster. · Darker in all respects in the fruit and spice aromas and flavors. Interesting accents of black cherry cola and mocha. Firm, but not aggressive tannins. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 724 cases, $68. A 5-acre vineyard planted to Dijon clone 667 on the east side of Olivet Lane. The location is one of the warmest for Kosta Browne and yields are generous. The grower is extremely passionate. 25% whole cluster. · Wild and fruity, brambly and earthy, with dark berries and chocolate carrying the flavor parade. Firm tannins. Noticeably, but discreetly concentrated. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., 500 cases, $62. From a 5-acre vineyard planted entirely to Dijon clone 667 in the middle of the Russian River Valley AVA on the east side of Olivet Lane. The vineyard is the warmest location of all Kosta Browne grape sources and yields are vigorous, ranging from 3.5 to 3.7 tons per acre. The vineyard is farmed with passion by the owners. Significant whole cluster is used in this wine. · Deep on the palate, packed with brambly dark red fruit and showing a wild side. Muscular, but velvety in texture with supple tannins.. A real crowd pleaser. Reviewed November 20, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »