2009 Big Basin Syrah Coastview Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining purple. Pungent, exotic aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice pastille, violet and vanilla. Plush, palate-staining dark fruit preserve flavors show impressive depth allied with unlikely energy. Finishes sweet and very long, with chewy tannins and a whiplash of dark berries and flowers. This large-scaled wine clocks in at 15.5% alcohol but wears it gracefully. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
All the elements come together beautifully in the 2009 Syrah Coastview Vineyard. The wine envelops the palate with rich blueberries, smoke, incense, sweet herbs and licorice. In 2009 the Coastview stands out for its gorgeous inner perfume and silky, refined personality. A touch of alcohol comes through on the finish. Otherwise, this is a fine showing.
All the elements come together beautifully in the 2009 Syrah Coastview Vineyard. The wine envelops the palate with rich blueberries, smoke, incense, sweet herbs and licorice. In 2009, the Coastview stands out for its gorgeous inner perfume and silky, refined personality. A touch of alcohol comes through on the finish. Otherwise, this is a fine showing. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. I tasted a bevy of gorgeous wines with proprietor Bradley Brown this year. These new and upcoming releases are impeccable and strongly suggest Brown is one of the up and coming stars of the region. I can hardly wait to see how his wines develop in the future. Most of the 2010 Pinots were harvested during the first week of October, on the late side that year. The wines spent 16 months in French oak, between roughly 40-60% new. The 2009 Syrahs were picked during a broad window that started in early October and lasted much of the month. Brown gave his 2009 Syrahs about 27 months in French oak, from 50-86% new. I also tasted a number of wines from barrel, most of them 2010 Syrahs and Syrah-blends. Today, those wines are very promising, as the cold 2010 vintage seems to have brought out the maximum in varietal definition and nuance. Tel. (831) 621-8028
The 2009 Syrah Coastview Vineyard emerges from the glass with mineral-infused blackberries, blueberries, tar and violets. This is a striking wine endowed with gorgeous clarity and precision in its aromas and flavors. The focused, silky finish bodes well for the future. Brown brought all of the fruit from Coastview in before the October rains and used 8% whole clusters. The wine will be aged about 26 months in French oak barrels 75% new.