2013 Big Basin, Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Bradley Brown’s 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah is lush and Cote-Rotie like with beautiful dark violets, cassis and boysenberry leading the way in this very stylish wine. The Big Basin Syrah has about 5% Grenache and 4% Viognier blended in, it was native yeast fermented with some whole cluster and aged just about a year in mostly used French barrels. This is full bodied red and has sweet ripe tannins coming in at about 14.5% alcohol with round glycerin rich textures, it reminds me of Guigal or Delas Cote-Rotie with it’s voluptuous and pure character. This is really seductive and sexy Syrah that starts with floral tones, hints of embers, black fruits and mineral spice while the palate is dense and has glorious mouth-feel with blackberry, plum, wild lavender and mocha notes to go along with the mentioned boysenberry, blueberry and currant fruits as well as some juicy acidity and youthful grip. Grown on sandstone, loam and sandy clay the 2013 mostly Alban clone Big Basin Syrah is very impressive and pleasing wine which should gain detail and layers over time. I can imagine holding a few bottles for up to 10 years, but it certainly is very compelling even now especially with robust cuisine, best from 2018 to 2024.
($35 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
