2009 Big Basin Syrah Old Corral

The 2009 Syrah Old Corral shows quite a bit more depth and mid-palate density than the Rattlesnake Rock, all while expressing the medium-bodied, refined personality typical of the wines in this vintage. Layers of fruit build to the plush, resonant finish. This is the first vintage for the Old Corral.

The 2009 Syrah Old Corral shows quite a bit more depth and mid-palate density than the Rattlesnake Rock, all while expressing the medium-bodied, refined personality typical of the wines in this vintage. Layers of fruit build to the plush, resonant finish. This is the first vintage for the Old Corral. 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 Old Corral is made from two blocks on the estate planted with the Alban Powerblock Syrah clone. In 2009, all of the fruit came in after the October rains and was therefore harvested quite late. The wine shows great focus and minerality, with well-delineated aromas and flavors, and terrific overall balance.