Reviews

July 2015

2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 94 points
2013 BALD MOUNTAIN VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 91 points
2013 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE 92 points
2013 ALFARO VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points
2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93 points
2013 LESTER VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 92 points
2013 HOMESTEAD 91 points
2012 GRIZZLY GRENACHE 90 points
2012 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM 91 points
2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE 91 points
2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH 94 points
2012 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 93 points
2012 OLD CORRAL SYRAH 93 points
2013 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SYRAH 90 points
2012 ODEON SYRAH/CABERNET 94 points

2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 94 points:
“One of the best wines in this range from Big Basin, the 2013 Chardonnay Coastview Vineyard is a real head-turner. Smoke, slate, dried pear and white flowers open up in an understated, crystalline Chardonnay long on class. A slight element of Burgundian-inflected reduction is present at this stage, but it is neither overpowering or dominant. The 2013 spent 11 months in barrel followed by 4 months in tank. Readers who can find the 2013 should not hesitate, as it is terrific.”

2013 BALD MOUNTAIN VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 91 points:
“The 2013 Chardonnay Bald Mountain is laced with dried pear, almonds, wild flowers and chamomile, all with the slightly oily texture and warm, burnished overtones that are signature of Wente clone Chardonnays. Subtle and nuanced, this open-knit Chardonnay will drink well upon release.”

2013 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE 92 points:
“The 2013 Roussanne Homestead Block is another winner from Big Basin. Textured and inviting from the very first taste, the 2013 offers superb balance and tons of class. Apricot jam, chamomile, honey, almonds and orange blossoms are layered into the exquisite finish.”

2013 ALFARO VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points:
“The 2013 Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard has come together beautifully since I tasted it last year. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and leather are all nicely delineated in the glass. Pliant and expressive, the 2013 speaks to finesse. The Alfaro was done with about 30% whole clusters, low by Big Basin’s standards, but an approach that worked beautifully here.”

2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93 points:
“Big Basin’s 2013 Pinot Noir Coastview Vineyard is striking. Explosive and flashy, the 2013 boasts intense aromatics, striking inner perfume and tons of raciness, but all in a laid-back, refined style that takes time to unfurl. Hints of violet, lavender and sweet spices add the final shades of nuance. The Coastview is Big Basin’s most complete 2013 Pinot. This is a strong showing.”

2013 LESTER VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 92 points:
“The 2013 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard brings together expressive fruit along with the floral/savory overtones that are typical of wines made with high amounts of whole clusters. Succulent red stone fruits, lavender and sage add nuance on the close. This is another wine that has developed well since I tasted it in barrel.”

2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH 94 points:
“The 2012 Syrah Coastview Vineyard presents a distinctly red-fleshed profile. Dark cherry jam, pomegranate and plum are supported by round, silky tannins. Suave and expressive through to the finish, 2012 is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. A dollop of Viognier rounds out the blend.”

2012 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 93 points:
“The 2012 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock, from Big Basin’s home vineyard, is powerful, structured and intense, with a compelling interplay of dense fruit and supporting tannin, but less in the way of aromatics. Savory herbs, smoke, game, tobacco and licorice flesh out on the ample finish. The 2012 was done with just a touch of whole clusters (7%) and a dollop of Viognier. New oak was around 44%.”

2012 OLD CORRAL SYRAH 93 points:
“The 2012 Syrah Old Corral is dark, sensual and voluptuous to the core, with striking aromatics, beautifully layered fruit and terrific overall balance. The inclusion of Grenache and Viognier gives the typically dark Alban powerblock Syrah clone flavors quite a bit of complexity. Cedar, tobacco, leather and savory herbs add nuance to the radiant dark red and blue-fleshed Syrah fruit. I expect this racy, forward Syrah will deliver considerable pleasure pretty much upon release. The 2012 includes 9% Grenache and a dollop of Viognier.”

2012 ODEON 94 points:
“One of the stars in this lineup, the 2012 Odeon is a blend of Syrah from Brosseau and Cabernet Sauvignon from Betchart Vineyard, a combination that works beautifully. Striking aromatics meld into a deep, pliant core of fruit as the 2012 shows off its striking personality. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and smoke add nuance in a wine loaded with pure appeal. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2012 captures all of the potential I saw in barrel last year.”

2013 HOMESTEAD 91 points:
Big Basin’s 2013 Homestead is dark, supple and refreshing, with a good combination of juicy fruit and more floral/savory notes that come from picking on the early side and working with a high level of whole clusters. Lavender, smoke, licorice and dark-fleshed fruit add the closing shades of dimension in this inviting red blend. In 2013 Homestead is 30% Syrah, 26% Carignane, 22% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly from vineyards in the Gabilan Mountains.”

2013 GRIZZLY 90 points:
“The 2012 Grizzly is pliant, open and accessible, with plenty of sweet cherry, savory herbs, leather, cedar, tobacco, kirsch and white pepper notes. Although quite ripe and forward in style, the 2012 also retains a good level of freshness that balances some of the more overt elements. The blend is 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah, done predominantly in neutral oak.”

2013 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM 91 points:
“A pliant, open-knit wine, the 2012 GSM Gabilan Mountain comes across as a bit understated yet impeccable in its overall balance. Smoke, violet and licorice overtones meld into dark shades of cherry and plum as this expressive, beautifully layered Rhone blend shows off its winning personality. The blend is 46% Grenache, 39% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. This is a promising new wine from Big Basin. All of the fruit is sourced from the Gabilan Mountains, an area with significant untapped potential.”

2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE 91 points:
“A powerful, inviting wine, the 2012 Grenache Coastview Vineyard has come together nicely over the last year. The flavors are bold in a rich, broad Grenache loaded with personality. The 2012 is not especially varietal, but it is quite appealing if taken on its own terms. Sweet red cherry, raspberry jam and flowers flesh out on the finish. The 2012 was done with fully destemmed fruit and includes 6% Syrah in the blend.”

2013 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SYRAH 90 points:
“The 2013 Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains is plump, juicy and expressive, with plenty of varietal nuance and a translucent personality that is striking. Inky blue and purplish stone fruits, mint, violets and spices lend further complexity to an inviting, supple finish that suggests the 2013 is best enjoyed over the next few years. The Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah is mostly estate fruit. Dollops of Grenache and Viognier round out the blend. The 2013 was done with 38% whole clusters and aged predominantly in neutral oak.”