2012 Big Basin Pinot Noir Coastview Vineyard
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Similar in quality, the 2012 Pinot Noir Coastview is silkier and more finesse driven, with bright berry fruits, violets, sappy herbs and tinges of minerality all emerging from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and with terrific length, I love the overall purity of fruit, and it will shine for upward of a decade. Located high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin Vineyards is run by Bradley Brown. He releases numerous estate wines, yet also makes a number of wines from other top vineyards in the Central Coast. These 2011s show the freshness and focus of the cooler vintage, and his 2012s offer beautiful purity, with more fruit forward profiles. Tel. (408) 564-7346; www.bigbasinvineyards.com
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Pinot Noir Coastview Vineyard blossoms in the glass beautifully. Expressive and generous on the palate, the 2012 is quite open today. Silky tannins wrap around a core of pliant, supple fruit as the wine shows off its radiant personality, while pretty spice and floral nuances add complexity to round out the juicy finish.
Brilliant red. Deeply pitched aromas of cherry pit, boysenberry and violet, with a peppery overtone. Chewy dark fruit flavors show very good depth, with notes of licorice and bitter chocolate. Rather brooding and slow to reveal itself. Finishes with strong punch, building tannins and appealingly sweet cherry compote and dark berry character. This youthful, promising wine deserves some patience.
The 2012 Pinot Noir Coastview Vineyard is stunningly beautiful. Dark red cherries, plums and spices are all woven together. Stylistically, the Coastview is richer, deeper and more voluptuous than the Alfaro, but it retains considerable grace and energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. Today, the 2012 Coastview is magnificent.