Winemaker Notes
The use of whole clusters amplifies the aromatics and adds complexity to the finished wine. The nose 2014 Grizzly is a melange of delicate spice notes and fruit. It is full bodied on the palate with ample tannins that will continue to soften with age. Once again the spice notes come to the fore with subtle fruit and a long, persistent finish that echoes the same.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Searching for Grenache has taken me from the Southern Rhône to Australia, Spain, and back to the USA. The 2014 Big Basin Vineyards Grizzly has given me a good reason to stop search for a little while. TASTING NOTES: This wine delivers a punch of power with beautiful finesse. Its lively aromas and flavors of pert red fruits should pair perfectly with a roast pork tenderloin accented with stalks of rosemary and slivers of fresh garlic. (Tasted: April 23, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Grenache Grizzly from Big Basin Vineyards is one of the highlights of the range, wafting from the glass with aromas of kirsch, orange rind, rose hip and herbs. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, supple and layered, with a good core of fruit, youthfully chewy tannins that should melt with a few years in bottle and good, balancing acidity.
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Wine Enthusiast
This bottling of an Alban clone was fermented 56% whole cluster, and makes for a more mineral-driven Grenache, with aromas of dried red currants, sarsaparilla, leather and pencil shavings. It's very dry on the palate with red plum, rosewater, candied jasmine and a hint of spearmint, but the firm tannins need much more time to smooth out.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
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.