Mission Codename Big 3
Need a locker-stocker?
Look no further, here’s one of ‘em “gorgeous, minimalist wines” per Vinous, 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.
Bit of an everything but the kitchen sink with Carignan and Syrah making up the dominant half, there’s also diminishing amounts of Grenache, Mourvedre, and even Cabernet Sauvignon in there! And trust us it WORKS. As Vinous said “myriad layers of nuance that open up effortlessly before you.” Chill it down a bit and chug it down out of the bottle when no one is looking, unless you get caught doing that, then you can sip it in alternating turns with a cold IPA.
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.
92 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“The 2018 Homestead offers tremendous appeal. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, spice and dried flowers infuse the 2018 with myriad layers of nuance that open up effortlessly. Forward, juicy and wonderfully inviting, the 2018 has so much to offer. It is a wine of immense pleasure, a terrific value and the kind of wine that disappears in an instant at the dinner table. In 2018, the blend is 33% Carignane, 25% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2020-2028.”
What the Winery Says
2018 'Homestead' Gabilan & Santa Cruz Mountains Red
- Winemakers
- Bradley Brown & Blake Yarger
- Varietals
- 33% Carignan, 25% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 13.7%
- Appellation
- Gabilan & Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast
- Soil Type
- Mostly granitic with limestone and calcareous shale
- Elevation
- 1200-2200 ft
- Fermentation
- 100% Whole Cluster
- Aging
- 11 months
- Barrels
- 20% new French oak
About the Winery
Big Basin