August 2017

“This is a strong set of wines from Big Basin and proprietor Bradley Brown. In particular, the 2015 Pinots are terrific, not to mention a step up from the 2014s. A number of the Syrahs are equally compelling. As is the case in the Santa Cruz Mountains and neighborng appellations, Big Basin suffered from punishing yields that lowered production by 50% or more across the board.” – Antonio Galloni

2015 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE 91 points
2015 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 93 points
2015 WOODRUFF FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points
2015 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93+ points
2015 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93+ points
2014 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points
2015 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 90 points
2015 HOMESTEAD 92 points
2014 GABILAN MOUNTAIN GSM 94 points
2014 ODEON 93 points
2014 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 92+ points
2013 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 93 points
2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH 94 points
2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD – TERRACES SYRAH 93+ points
2013 FRENCHIES RANCH SYRAH 92 points

2015 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE 91 points:
“The 2015 Roussanne Homestead Block is a super-expressive wine. In this vintage, most of the wine (80%) was fermented and aged in amphora, an approach that has worked beautifully here. Specifically, the 2015 has a bit more freshness and energy than has often been the case. The peach, apricot and exotic flower notes are very nicely delineated.”

2015 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 93 points:
“The 2015 Chardonnay Coastview Vineyard is deep, plush and super-expressive, all while retaining terrific energy. Lemon peel, flowers, slate and pear notes are pushed forward. I would give the 2015 at least six months in bottle, as it is very tight at this stage. Even so, the 2015 has a distinctly phenolic, saline feel.”

2015 WOODRUFF FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points:
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Woodruff Family Vineyard is laced with the essence of dried flowers, dried cherry, mint, pine and spice. Ethereal, lifted and gracious in style, with considerable whole cluster influence from the 100% stems, the 2015 shows the more delicate side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is very nicely done.”

2015 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93+ points:
“A gorgeous wine, the 2015 Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard is absolutely terrific. The interplay of ripe, racy fruit and whole cluster savoriness is compelling. Pliant, open and totally seductive, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring, The 100% whole clusters are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. This is a terrific Pinot with potential to grow.”

2015 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93+ points:
“Another highlight in this range, the 2015 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard speaks to precision, tension and translucence. Bright red cherry, chalk, white pepper and orange peel develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s saline, mineral-driven personality that stands out most. This is an especially taut style, but it works, and beautifully. The 2015 was done with 70% whole clusters, a decision that proved to be spot on.”

2014 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 91 points:
“Big Basin’s 2014 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard has developed very nicely over the last year. Spice, star anise and orange peel give the wine much of its distinctive personality. Early notes of aromatic maturity are starting to set in. I would prefer to drink the 2014 sooner rather than later. ”

2015 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 90 points:
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Coastview Vineyard is an attractive wine, but it possesses less depth, complexity and pedigree than that other 2015 Pinots in the lineup. Dried cherry, sweet herb, licorice and dried flowers are nicely woven together in an attractive, mid-weight Pinot Noir from Big Basin that is likely to offer its best drinking over the near and medium term. The 2015 was done with about 55% whole clusters.”

2015 HOMESTEAD 92 points:
“The 2015 Homestead, Big Basin’s Mourvèdre-based blend, is very beautiful. Bright, open-knit and inviting, but with terrific brightness and verve, the Homestead captures the essence of the Big Basin house style. Succulent red cherry, plum, rose petal and lavender are all nicely delineated. In this vintage, the Mourvèdre is higher than normal, but that is not especially evident.”

2014 GABILAN MOUNTAIN GSM 94 points:
“The 2014 GSM Gabilan Mountain is one of the most potent wines in the range. Bold, punchy and forward, the 2014 exudes depth. Smoke, grilled herbs, gravel, chalk and cured meats add aromatic nuance to a core of intense dark fruit. Today, the 2014 is rich, vivid and impeccably balanced. The tannins could use a bit more time to soften, but this is an exciting wine in every way.”

2014 ODEON 93 points:
“The 2014 Odeon, Big Basin’s Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, is terrific. There is plenty of punch and overall ripeness to the bold, dark-toned flavors. Gravel, menthol and plum are among the many nuances that open up in the glass. The 2014 is mostly a blend of Syrah from Brosseau and Cabernet Sauvignon from a site on Monte Bello Road, with a dollop of Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah. As is often the case, Odeon is one of the more distinctive offerings in the Big Basin lineup.”

2014 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 92+ points:
“The 2014 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock is a beautiful, expressive wine. Savory herb, licorice, menthol and blue/purplish-hued fruits are nicely pushed forward in this attractive, tightly-wound, mid-weight Syrah. All the elements are in place for the 2014 to develop into a delicious and rewarding wine. The long, resonant finish is promising. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 fleshes out a bit more in bottle.”

2013 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 93 points:
“A powerful, deep wine, the 2013 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock is just beginning to open up in its aromatics. Deep, pliant and generous on the palate, the 2013 possesses lovely depth to match its dark, brooding flavor profile. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and sage add to the wine’s racy personality. ”

2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH 94 points:
“Another of the standouts in this range, the 2014 Syrah Coastview Vineyard is fabulous. Deep, rich and beautifully layered, the 2014 Syrah oozes personality. Cured meats, smoke, licorice, tobacco, plum and black cherry infuse this super-expressive, mid-weight Syrah. The 100% whole clusters are totally integrated. Bright floral notes add aromatic lift and intrigue. There is a lot to like here. ”

2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD – TERRACES SYRAH 93+ points:
“The 2014 Syrah Coastview Vineyard – Terraces emerges from a single block on the property. Stylistically, the Terraces is a bit more perfumed and light on its feet than the straight Coastview Syrah, but it is not meaningfully different in flavor profile. Bright floral notes add attractive lift. It will be interesting to see if more differences between the two Coastview Syrahs emerge over time.”

2013 FRENCHIES RANCH SYRAH 92 points:
“The 2013 Syrah Frenchies Ranch is rich, unctuous and textured, much of that the result of having spent 39 months in 100% new French oak. The extended time in barrel softens the contours but also gives the wine a slightly forward character in its aromatics. This is another impeccably crafted wine from Big Basin. Still, there is terrific textural depth and plushness to the fruit. The 2013 has turned out beautifully.”