June 2019

“Bradley Brown draws across a number of sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Gabilan Mountains to the south for a wide range of wines that encompass Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux varieties. A preference for picking on the earlier side yields perfumed, savory wines with a good bit of energy that often need a few years in bottle to be at their very best. Readers will find plenty of delicious, compelling wines here.”


2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 94 points
2016 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 94 points
2014 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM 94 points
2016 HOMESTEAD 93 points
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 93 points
2014 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 92 Points


2016 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir Big Basin’s 2016 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir is absolutely outstanding. Immediately bursting with bright red fruits, wild berries, red plums, smoke, and earthy scents which are followed by wild herbs, mint and fresh floral nuances. On the palate this is truly amazing, focused and balanced, this gorgosus Pinot Noir delivers a mouthful of delicious juicy red fruits, sour cherries and spice flavors that linger on through finish. Overall this is a brilliant wine from Bradley Brown which is accessible now, but it will certinaly evolve beautifully for quite some time.”

2016 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir “The Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir from Big Basin is another outstanding showing from their 2016 lineup. It has gorgeous aromatics, led by nuances of raspberries, red currants, plums, blood orange. green herbs, smoke and exotics spices. Displaying fantastic texture and balance, with delicious red and dark fruits backed by earth and spice flavors. Remaind fresh and inviting with great acidity leading up to the juicy finish. While this is sensational today, especially with some extended air contact, it should also age beautifully over the next 10-12 years.”

2014 Gabilan Mountains GSM “A blend of 49% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre and 19% Syrah, this GSM is a knockout from Big Basin., Beautiful color with intoxicating aromas of wild cherry liquor, dark chocolate leather, sweet spice, violets, leather and smoke, which all emerge from the glass. On the palate this is medium-bodied with a gorgeous combination of ripe fruit and acidity. It continues to impress as it demonstrates wonderful balance and focus, with a lovely textured mouthfeel leading up to the long, mouthwatering finish. Outstanding now and will only become more impressive as it evolves over time.”

2016 Homestead “Big Basin’s ‘Homestead’ red is blend of 48% Syrah, 27% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 9% Carignane, and 1% Viognier. It begins with inviting aromas of black raspberries, strawberries, plums and red berries that are woven together with lavender, violets, black pepper and hints of damp earth. This medium to full-bodied red is nicely concentrated with a gorgeous velvety texture and a lovely fresh character that continues though the long finish. Overall, this is a beautifully made wine, that should continue to drink remarkably well with additional botte age. A tremendous value from Proprietor & Winemaker Bradley Brown.”

2016 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay “This Chardonnay from Big Basin is sourced from the Coastview vineyard in Monterey County. It opens with inviting aromas Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, white peach and vanilla cream followed by hints of white flowers, crushed stone and ripe pineapple. The palate delivers a gorgeous creamy texture, along with a wonderful combination of ripeness and minerality. Bright nectarine, lemon zest, and fresh minerals all come together on the delicious finish. Drinking well now and should continue to flourish over the next decade.”

2014 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah “Big Basin’s Rattlesnake Rock Vineyard Syrah opens with aromas of ripe blackberry, exotic spices, olive, vanilla blossom, black pepper and crushed flowers. This continues to impress on the palate as it displaying a gorgeous texture and lovely underlying acidity that frames the black and blue fruits, scorched earth and spice on the long finish. This is a classic styled Syrah with a very firm tannin structure and good balance. While this is appealing today, it should ultimately be cellared for another couple of years before approaching.”