Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2012 Zayante Vineyard Syrah pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and slightly desiccated black and blue fruits: blackberries, fig, dried purple flowers, roasted game, some black pepper, some olive, leather, old wood and a balanced combination of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. This is a very lovely Cali Syrah that has some Rhône sensibilities. Drink now through 2032. — 19 days ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Gorgeous supple blue fruit. Tangy cherry, dark plum. Herbs. Soulful. — 3 years ago

with Paul and Ara

Willie Carter

9.2

California Syrah the way I like it. And I do definitely like it. A really pretty deep dark purple with a wide brim and little cherry red flecks. This nose is just plain silly good and exciting. Plums and raspberries abound here. Blackberries with a touch of fennel go a long way. The olive aromas are jumping out of the glass and my goodness it’s special. There’s a rich meaty, fatty aspect to the nose that just blows me away. Stupendous.

Every wine I have from Big Basin is just as good as the next one. All so good and so well crafted. Hailing from the Rattlesnake Rock vineyard in Santa Cruz and definitely fruit forward. At this age, it’s drinking with more refinement than you may expect. Classy and stylish but never forgets about the fun. A lesson in how to make a big and bold Syrah without even coming close to going overboard. Smoke and grilled meat in the mouth to go with the vibrant red and blue fruits. Black pepper and menthol. The finish is long and fulfilling. Don’t listen to me, seriously don’t. Just go taste it. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

The 2022 release is a hit!
Deep purple color. Aromas of black cherry, cola, dried herbs and cedar. Black and blue fruit on the palate, herbs and oak on the finish.

🏅97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅94 Points - @Dr. Owen Bargreen — 7 months ago

Brian S

9.5

Blue and red fruit, well integrated tannins and acidity, bay leaf, cocoa, Tabasco leaf, barrel spice, black rock. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

Saturated ruby-red. The highly expressive bouquet conveys vibrant, mineral- and spice-accented red and blue fruits, candied flowers and succulent herbs aromas. Gently chewy and incisive boysenberry, bitter cherry and fresh bay flavors deepen and become sweeter with air. The floral note recurs on a very long, mineral finish that's framed by subtly gripping, fine-grained tannins. Made with 39% whole clusters and raised in a 65/35 mix of neutral oak foudres and concrete tanks. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blackberries, cardamon and dried lavender. Black and blue fruit- the way a petit sirah should be! — 5 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep purple color. Aromas of red and blue fruit, baking spices and cedar. Delicious fruit on the plate, coffee and cigar box.

🏅89 Points - Wine Enthusiasts — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 3 years ago

Doug Sayed

9.3

2016 vintage. Intense saline blue fruits with excellent supporting structure and a great finish. Seems quite youthful for its age, with lingering fine tannins and solid acidity. The only detractor is a slight vegetable element. Great juice. — 5 years ago