2009 Big Basin Grenache Grizzly

(63% grenache and 37% syrah, aged in 50% new oak): Saturated ruby. Cherry-vanilla, dark berries and mocha on the pungent nose and in the mouth. Chewy, appealingly sweet blackberry and cherry flavors are sharpened by juicy acidity, offering a suave blend of richness and energy. Finishes sweet and long, with smooth tannins and a touch of medicinal herbs. This wine is made from fruit grown in Monterey County and Santa Cruz County, in the Coastview and Big Basin vineyards.

The 2009 Grizzly is another impeccable wine. The floral overtones and sweet red berries are pure Grenache while the Syrah adds muscle. There is a depth and roundness in the Grizzly that is immensely pleasing.

The 2009 Grizzly is another impeccable wine. The floral overtones and sweet red berries are pure Grenache while the Syrah adds muscle. There is a depth and roundness in the Grizzly that is immensely pleasing. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. 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