The 2016 vintage of this was a Vinous 95, and this 2020 strikes us (and those who’ve bought it – as well as both Dunnuck and the Wine Enthusiast) as the most impressive vintage yet. And in fact, the Wine Enthusiast rates it the best ever, saying:
Dense aromas of cassis meet with rich caramel and fudge on the ripe and deep nose of this bottling. The palate is thick and intense yet retains a big-wine balance, offering cocoa, black fruit, light herb and cracked pepper flavors.
As does Dunnuck:
One of the finest vintages I’ve tasted, the 2020 The Big Easy brings more elegance and purity than usual and has a beautiful bouquet of blue fruits, game, iron, and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has silky tannins, a layered, satisfying mouthfeel, and a great finish. The blend is 52% Syrah, 24% Petite Sirah, 18% Grenache, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 21 months in 15% new French and American oak.
Here’s Vinous on the 95-point 2016 (their top-rated “Prisoner-style” big rich red for the money ever):
The 2016 The Big Easy is fabulous. Rich, powerful and flamboyant to its core the Big Easy hits the palate with tremendous fruit intensity. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, white chocolate, vanillin and new American oak shape this opulent Syrah/Petite Sirah/ Grenache blend. Winemaker Blair Fox has dialed in a style that captures all the exuberance of past editions, but with more nuance than the Big Easy has ever shown. The 2016 is simply outrageously delicious.
Which pretty well sums up how everyone felt about this 2020 last time we offered it: “outrageously delicious.”
Again, this is on sale this week only.
