Big Basin Vineyards Dinner - NYC 3/25/09

WINE TALK
1

Bradley hosted an outstanding dinner at Restaurant 81 in NYC that further cemented my view of the greatness of this winery and the Santa Cruz Mountain’s Terroir.

The first wine of the evening was the 2008 Auro Rosé of Syrah – this was a crowd favorite and some mentioned it was their favorite wine of the night. It was made in a Saignée style and left on the skins for longer than your typical Rosé and also stored in oak barrel. I got dark cherry, a hint of watermelon, some dust all framed with a non-offensive amount of oak. A larger Rosé that can pair with a variety of foods.

We then turned to a flight of Pinots and these were the surprise of the night for me. The first wine was the 2007 Bald Mountain from deep sandy soil which had dark red fruits, perfume and floral aromatics. It was bright and at this point sweet and juicy but not in a over-the-top way. I think a few years of age on this and it will be very good. The next win was the 2007 Alfaro which comes from a foggy vineyard that is one of the latest picked in California (late October). This was slightly less aromatic and open that the Bald Mountain but seemed to have darker fruits, minerality and slightly more structure that requires more age. The next Pinot was my favorite the 2007 Braciforte which comes from a muddier soil it is more rich and an overall larger wine than the first two and over time I think could evolve into the best of the 2007s.

After the Pinots Bradley bravely presented a barrel sample of a 2007 Syrah from the Coast View Vineyards which is a high vineyard site (2600ft) with decomposed granite soil. Initially it had enormous amounts of dusty stone characteristics followed by some spice all framed with very dark intense red and blue fruits. My favorite wine of the night and I look forward to its evolution.

For the finale we did an even year vertical of Rattlesnake Rock Syrahs. I love these wines and I think on this night they might have suffered slightly following the lighter Pinots because to me they initially seemed bigger than I recall…with some time and air my perception did change. The 2002 is a huge wine that still needs time it has dark fruit characteristics, amazing smoked bacon which is my favorite syrah flavor and enormous amounts of structure. My notes started to fade but I recall the 2004 being the most approachable initially and the 2006 having a bit more oak that toned down and opened up with time in the glass.

Thank you to Bradley for making such amazing wines that reflect the unique vineyard sites that he has chosen and for organizing the dinner and graciously donating the wines!

2

This sounds like an awesome evening. I’m looking forward to my shipment next week (I have the Rose, Branciforte, and Rattlesnake coming). My only experience so far has been the '06 Mandala and the '06 Fairview, both of which I loved. Can’t wait to try a Rattlesnake and one of his Pinots! Definitely one of the most exciting new producers in California.

3

I got a chance to try Bradley’s line up at Family’s. To my palate, some of the finest syrah’s made in CA. I’d better step up my game! [notworthy.gif] [blackeye.gif]

4

Wow…thanks for sharing. Excellent winery and getting better with the Pinot additions. I’ve tried the 07 Brancifort Ridge three times now and its been great every time.

5

John,

I’m with you, Bradley is making some outstanding syrahs. I’m fortunate enough to have a Rattlesnake Rock vertical from 2002, the evolution has been incredible.

Your game is not lacking.

6

I had never tried it, but Ben Sherwin brought one to a dinner with Jim G, Brad C and myself, and it was awful.

7

What was? How was it bad?

8

Sorry, A Big basin Syrah, I think it was 2004. It was very strange.

9

I’ve yet to have a bad bottle, going back to the 04’s. We were only offered the Branciforte Pinot this time around, but are promised the others in Fall. Big Basin is always one of my most anticipated deliveries.

10

Read “Bad bottle”, most likely that less common though sometimes occurring form of TCA that kills the fruit and structure, but is not otherwise obvious. I tried to contact Ben Sherwin about this since the experience described did not add up and conflicted with his previous notes, those of other posters, and my own recent tastings. I have offered up replacement bottles to prove my point, but to no avail this time around.
Bradley

11

Welcome aboard Bradley.

12

You can send it my way. I will make sure he gets it. Really.