2011 Big Basin Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre Paderewski Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(36% syrah, 35% mourvedre and 29% grenache): Bright ruby. Ripe dark berries and cherry pit on the nose, along with a bit of heat. Spicy and chewy in texture, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors and a touch of dark chocolate. Becomes more silky with air, but with reluctance. In a densely packed, masculine style, with firm finishing tannins and repeating spiciness. Decanting is definitely required here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Also elegant and finesse-styled, the 2011 GSM Paderewski Vineyard is a blend of close to equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that comes from Epoch’s Paderewski Vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. Aged primarily in larger format, neutral barrels, it offers up a sweet bouquet of black raspberry, spring flowers, resin and licorice to go with a medium-bodied, streamlined and silky mouthfeel. Lagging the spectacular 2010, it’s nevertheless an outstanding bottle of wine that delivers solid richness and depth while staying classy and light. Give it another year or two and enjoy through 2020. Decant if drinking anytime soon. Drink 2015-2020. Based out of the Santa Cruz Mountains, proprietor/owner Bradley Brown fashions a bevy of superb efforts from throughout the Central Coast. Tel. (408) 564-7346; www.bigbasinvineyards.com
Big Basin's GSM Padereski Vineyard, from an emerging site in Paso Robles, is soft, delicate and very nicely balanced. Dark red cherries, sweet spices, tobacco and licorice all meld together in the glass. The 2011 is undoubtedly attractive, but it doesn't come close to the superb 2010. The blend is 36% Syrah, 35% Mourvedre and 29% Grenache.