Winemaker Notes
The nose opens slowly, at first showing mostly spice, then aromas of plums and dark cherries with lots of glass swirling, as well as a mix of bramble berries from the large percentage of Mourvèdre. Additional aromas of licorice root and dark earth minerality. Typical for a young wine, the nose is a bit reticent, but the wine really shows when tasted and continued to open up with time in the glass. The attack is soft with sweet tannin that carries through the finish with flavors of satsuma plum and a complex mix of black and red fruits. High levels of dry extract give a chewy sensation to the mid palate, complimented by a wonderful freshness to the fruit flavors.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
A blend of 39% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 26% Syrah, the 2021 GSM Gabilan Mountains is another deftly crafted blend from Big Basin. Aged for 20 months in concrete tank and neutral oak, it delivers a France-meets-California array of kirsch, raspberry, cinnamon, blood orange peel, lavender and black olive. Cooling acidity presses onward toward the finish, closing with a dusting of cocoa powder tannins. I like this for its immediacy and sensuality. This is a fine choice for drinking any time over the next several years.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.