Vying for top honors among Kosta Browne's vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs from 2008, the deep, optimally ripened Gap's Crown Vineyard bottling is noteworthy for both its richness and real layering. It is wonderfully supple with the velvety feel found only in the best varietal offerings, and, while never lacking in muscle and size, it shows amazing balance and grace. It is long on immediate appeal to be sure, but it will only get better and more complex if allowed to age, and it may not reach it best for five or six years.

The other wine I was able to guess. This shows a distinct herbal edge in this tasting, offering a subtler, subdued presence, with complex dark berry, herb and tea notes.—Kosta Browne non-blind vertical (March 2011). Drink now through 2020. 690 cases made. –JL