Big Basin Rattlesnake Rock Syrah 2004
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Robert
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Wine Enthusiast
Maybe it's the snake venom, but this is seriously good Syrah. Blackberry and cherry pie aromas and flavors, with caramelized oak, mocha, chocolate macaroon and vanilla extravagances that turn richer and richer with every sip. Defines Syrah's power and elegance with immediate, voluptuous pleasure.
Editors' Choice -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2004 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock exhibits creamy blackberry, damp earth, spice, meat, and earthy notes. Its seamless integration of acidity, tannin, and lofty alcohol results in a full-bodied, powerful, serious wine that can be drunk now and over the next 12-15 years.
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Wine Spectator
Distinctive for its bold blueberry, spice and licorice notes and its rustic, intense flavors of plum, smoky meat and cedar. Takes on complexity on the finish, and though there's no shortage of tannins, balances out in the end.
Other Vintages
2016- Vinous
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Wine &
Spirits
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Wilfred
Wong
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Robert
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin Vineyards is terraced into a steep hillside first planted to grape vines by French immigrants over 100 years ago. Their winery and the vineyards they work with are located at sites in the Santa Cruz and Gabilan Mountains that are as beautiful as they are exceptional for grape growing. They farm organically and practice minimal-intervention winemaking with the goal of producing wines that transparently and authentically express site and variety.
Big Basin believes that their choice of vineyards, picking at the right time to retain intensity and elegance, and minimalistic winemaking practices are the keys to producing more aromatic and ethereal wines - new world wines with old world soul. Owner and winemaker Bradley Brown has been on a 20 year quest to produce beautiful and soulful wines. Winemaker Blake Yarger joined the team in 2017 and together they are always fine tuning practices to more transparently express the vineyards.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.