2011 Big Basin Grenache Grizzly
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Just as good, the 2011 Grizzly is a blend of close to equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that has a beautiful sense of energy and vibrancy. Possessing plenty of ripe black raspberry, kirsch, licorice and ground spices on the nose, it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture and fine tannin that emerges on the finish. Clean, classy and focused, it’s another superb wine from this estate that will evolve nicely for over 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 2011 Grizzly is a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Dark plum, pomegranate, spice and mint meld together in a soft, supple wine with plenty of near-term appeal. The Grenache is mostly felt in the wine's aromatics, while the Syrah and Mourvèdre are more evident in the mid-palate and overall texture. Like most of Big Basin's 2011s, the Grizzly is a decidedly mid-weight wine, but it is nevertheless quite attractive.
(39% grenache, 33% syrah, 26% mourvedre and 2% viognier): Brilliant ruby-red. Exotic aromas of red fruit liqueur, potpourri and white pepper, with a zesty mineral overtone. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering gently sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a touch of orange pith. The floral quality repeats on the nicely persistent finish, which features gentle tannins and a lingering rose pastille nuance.
The 2011 Grizzly boasts lovely energy and intensity in this vintage. Dark-toned red fruits flow from this effortless, voluptuous, deeply expressive Rhone blend, with Syrah and Mourvedre adding attractive elements of intensity to the Grenache. I very much like the combination of intensity and suppleness in the 2011. The blend is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre.