2012 Big Basin Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright, perfumed and slightly lifted aromatically, with plenty of plum, licorice, violets and menthol, the 2012 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard is medium-bodied, supple and nicely textured, with good overall freshness. Showing more sweet fruit and floral notes with time in the glass, this pretty, perfumed and lively Pinot Noir should be consumed over the coming 5-8 years. 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
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard opens with pretty aromatics along with hints of crushed flowers, sweet red berries and cinnamon. There is plenty of up-front appeal, even if the wine loses some of its persistence on the mid-palate and finish. I would prefer to drink the Lester sooner rather than later.
Vivid red. Smoky cherry and blackberry aromas are complemented by notes of licorice, black cardamom and illicit herbs (well, less illicit now than when I was growing up). Sweet dark fruit liqueur flavors are impressively deep and focused, with zesty acidity adding lift, focus and spine. Youthfully taut on the long spice- and mineral-tinged finish, which is shaped by fine-grained, building tannins.