What Vinous calls “gorgeous, minimalist wines…” is right here for a tiny price.

BIG DAY! BIG BASIN! You have no idea how long we’ve been working, hoping, and begging to land these.

Not only are we BIG FANS, but the wines are also tremendous. And although ‘the Basin may seem Big’ the production is tiny. Oh, and the press is BIG too, always is with Big Basin, no matter what the wine or the vintage or the vineyard really, they consistently hit big, especially for these tiny prices we were able to get them to.

Bradley Brown studied under John Alban. Oh, and so did Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non. It’s that kind of an inner circle of Rhône Rangers we’re in today.

This blend is modeled after, and a doppelganger for a fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Yet with 95 points and way down to 27 bucks, you cannot find a Châteauneuf-du-Pape anywhere near this deal!

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous says it best: “Proprietor Bradley Brown and his team make gorgeous, minimalist wines from a number of sites, mostly in the Santa Cruz and Gabilan Mountains. Picking early for freshness, aging in neutral vessels, and a high percentage of whole clusters in the reds are some of the hallmarks of the house style.” And Jeb Dunnuck echoes that “Brown continues to fashion some incredible wines from a number of vineyards in the Central Coast. All of these new releases are noteworthy and have elegant, refined, and pure characters without losing a beat with regard to fruit or texture. They’re highly recommended.”

Problem is tiny quantities – you know the drill.

95 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Bradley Brown and his team at Big Basin make a number of wines, but the Rhônes are the standouts. As always, the house style favors energy and freshness, with a healthy dose of clusters felt in the wines’ aromatic and structural profiles. There’s a ton to like here. The 2018 GSM Gabilan Mountains is one the most complete wines I have ever tasted from Big Basin. The blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre works so well here. A blast of dark, sepia-toned fruit makes a strong opening statement. Leather, tobacco, incense and dried herbs develop in the glass, filling out the layers nicely. This bold Rhộne blend delivers the goods, big time. The blend is 39% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 26% Mourvèdre. Drink 2023-2028.”