Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Estate Rattlesnake Rock Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains 2018

2+ bottles and you receive an additional 40% off!

We shared this elegant and earthy Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah a few months back, but now that we’re fully entering into red wine season, we figured it was high time for a re-stock! 94 points and Northern Rhone in style, this might just be one of the best fall reds fathomable. Price drops like autumn leaves to under $31 for 2 bottles, and shipping included on 4!

If your idea of a lovely fall evening includes lighting a few candles, putting on a Fleetwood Mac record, and pouring a glass of something lightly spiced and laced with wild, brambly fruit, leather, and herbs... I’m right there with you. This 2018 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah isn’t your typical big, flashy, California-style Syrah, but more of a cool-climate, Northern-Rhone-esque Syrah with a lightness and nuance to it that charms to no end.

It makes sense, too. Big Basin is an underground legend, making small amounts of minimalist, non-intervention wines from some of the Central Coast’s most extreme vineyard sites. They’re also decidedly old-school, and it all comes back to their planting. John Alban – one of the original Rhone Rangers, and probably California’s most legendary Syrah producer, grower, and clonal specialist – helped Bradley Brown plant this Rattlesnake Rock portion of their estate back in 2000. He supplied a favorite heritage clone of Côte-Rôtie, known as Serine, which is revered for its lavender and violet aromatics. As the years have passed, the vineyard has deepened in complexity, adding weight and power to its initial finesse, and thriving in the high-elevation, mountain-grown environment of these hills.

They opt for no new oak and age the Syrah in large 300-liter hogshead barrels, with a portion of whole clusters used for fermentation. That adds a nice, spicy lift to the high-toned florals and brooding, dark berry and mineral edge to the Syrah. There’s even a nice bacon fat note that only really good Syrah seems to manifest. This might be one of the best California Syrahs I have tasted in some time – uniquely California, yet paying homage gracefully to the Northern Rhone. The end result is remarkable, and just entering its prime drinking window. Rhone lovers and Cali-coastal enthusiasts simply can’t miss this – and at the ridiculously low price of UNDER $31 when you order 2 or more? Get more than you think!

PAIRING IDEAS: Lamb. I’m thinking a whole frenched rack, poached in an herb-infused olive oil, then seared over an open flame. Rosemary-scented fingerling potatoes, plus a nice red wine sauce to finish, with a fresh herb and arugula salad for brightness. Who’s hungry?