Crystal Basin Cellars

Big Basin Vineyards

Rattlesnake Rock Syrah 2018

Wow! Even better than a few months ago. Olives, blueberries, game, forest, pepper, plums. It’s interesting having this a few days after storm Syrah. Very similar. Love that there are more of these us syrahs with good fruit but balance. Central coast style. — a month ago

Scott@Mister and Tom liked this

Big Basin Vineyards

Gabilan Mountains GSM 2019

Proportionally, this shows up in the opposite order. It is 39% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache and 28% Syrah. I’m just gonna say now it is exceptional. Its choreography of meaty Mourvèdre, elegant Grenache and peppery Syrah is elite. Ethereal but grounded on the palate, lifting but textured. Licorice skips through the red flowers and black plums. It is more meaty on the nose, more fruit-forward on the palate, and truly balanced and supple. I love it. — 10 months ago

Bob, Matt and 6 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Great wine!

Big Basin Vineyards

Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry, pomegranate and cloves. Elegant wine, silky smooth flavors of cherry and baking spices.

🏅94 Points - Antonio Galloni
🏅93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— 2 years ago

Eric, Tom and 13 others liked this

Big Basin Vineyards

Monterey Pinot Noir 2015

First tasting. About as good as it gets with steak dinner. Silky smooth. Zero after taste. Heavy Smokey on the nose. 2018 vintage. The 1% petit verdot gives it amazing shape. Deep purple color. — 4 months ago

Big Basin Vineyards

Frenchie's Ranch Syrah 2007

Santa Cruz! Frenchie finally relaxed. A rare evolved CA Syrah showing secondaries. — 8 months ago

Tom, Steve and 5 others liked this

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 2001

Garnet core , quite wide bricking terracotta rim . Quite Subtle on the nose , red fruits , orange rind , sous bois , spice , violets . On the palate very refined , crystal clear red fruits , raspberry , cherry , touch of black currant , black tea , pin point acidity , very fine tannins . Very long and complex. Drinking well though will go on for ages still and certainly improve over the next 10-15 years. — 2 years ago

Ira, Bob and 9 others liked this

Big Basin Vineyards

Old Corral Syrah 2012

Nailed it with a steak sandwich pairing. Boo-yah. — 4 years ago

Crystal Basin Cellars

Renegade El Dorado Red Blend

Tall and straight heavy bottle. Looks kinda cool. CA wine style. 14.0% abv. No specifics on the blend. They say it arose from the wrong hose in the wrong tank ;-). Color is ruby red with a translucent shimmer. Smells like some other red wines in that it’s fruit and the smell of old places. (Like attics, cellars and libraries full of old books). Hint of savor. Like fresh steak or lamb. Flavors are excellent. Supple and fairly elegant. There’s a cherry streak, a black licorice streak, and brightness. It’s pretty Italian styled. I’d suggest there might be some Sangiovese and/or Barbera in it. And these are excellent CA Foothill grapes, so no surprise at its finesse and grace. This is a nice El Dorado red. I’d love to try the rest of their portfolio.

Website says, “…it’s a 4 way blend of Zinfandel, Grenache, Merlot and Mourvedre that will make your Tuesday night glass of wine Exciting Again.”
— 8 months ago

Douglas and Daniel liked this

Big Basin Vineyards

Howard Family Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Nose: elegant pineapple. White flowers.

Palate: big acid hit. Elegant yellow fruit. Delicious. Peach.

Long juicy finish.
— a year ago

Big Basin Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah 2017

At Fermented wine shop in Canton — 4 years ago