CHEV Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2018

Chev is produced by Michael Browne, winemaker and co-founder of Kosta Browne. Fermentation occurs in 80% stainless steel and 20% concrete open top fermenters, with 5% whole cluster. Aged for 14.5 months in French oak barrels: 48% new, 12% once-used, 10% neutral, and the remaining 30% in concrete tank.

Critical Acclaim

96 Jeb Dunnuck

Lots of ripe red and darker berry fruits as well as notes of iron, sagebrush, and earthy, foresty notes emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir, a rich, medium to full-bodied beauty that has a great mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and enough structure to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and keep for a decade. This is a meaty, almost bloody Pinot Noir with loads of character.

95 Wine Enthusiast

This opulent wine is jam-packed with red- and black-fruit flavors on a polished, broad and mouthfilling texture that gradually releases red-cherry, black-cherry, raspberry and rhubarb flavors, while boosting meaty, savory, forest-floor notes as well. A full body, ultrasmooth tannins and a touch of tangy fruit acidity bring it into good balance, too.

94 Vinous

The 2018 Pinot Noir is terrific. It offers plenty of Russian River exuberance, but in a mid-weight, translucent style that is hugely appealing. Succulent red cherry, blood orange, spice, leather and tobacco all open in this flavorful, expressive Pinot from Michael Browne. Stylistically, the Chev 2018 is a bit of a departure from Brown, it is more aromatic and finessed than the more exuberant style most readers know him for.

93 Wine Advocate

The 2018 Pinot Noir Chev has a medium ruby color and lovely aromas of cranberry sauce, black tea leaves, black cherries and dusty earth with a streak of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied, intense and layered, with a silky, seamless structure and very long finish.

92 James Suckling

Cherries, cranberries, chocolate orange, dried spices, violets, wild mushrooms and bark on the nose. Its medium-bodied with sleek tannins and bright acidity. Spicy, vibrant and flavorful.

91 Wine Spectator

Contoured and richly spiced, with slate and minerally accents to the toasty dark fruit flavors. Raspberry cream and pastry notes fill the finish.