2010 Big Basin Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard

The 2010 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard presents a darker tonality of fruit than some of the other Pinots in the lineup. Violets, spices and a hint of licorice develop in the glass, adding further complexity and nuance. Here, too, pretty elements of salinity give the wine an element of tension that works well. Most of this fruit was destemmed.

The 2010 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard presents a darker tonality of fruit than some of the other Pinots in the lineup. Violets, spices and a hint of licorice develop in the glass, adding further complexity and nuance. Here, too, pretty elements of salinity give the wine an element of tension that works well. Most of this fruit was destemmed. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. 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