Booker Vineyard
Ripper Paso Robles Grenache
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Followed over two days. Didn’t notice a substantial amount of change, but the heat did seem to fade a bit more to the background on day two.
Like most Booker wines, this is juicy and aromatic. 100% Grenache. Day one had this as a pop and pour. Big heady notes of black cherry jam, peppered rhubarb and sweet herbs jump out of the glass. While a big style, credit to the Booker team for keeping this nervy with acidity. Not quite “crunchy” cranberry on the palate, but also not a total flavor bomb. Day two showed a kiss of citrus where it channeled a spiced blood orange and pomegranate note on the finish. I think this has a bit of upside over the next few years (which caught me off guard, in a good way), so no rush, but it’s in a good window now with a bit of air.
Followed over two days. Didn’t notice a substantial amount of change, but the heat did seem to fade a bit more to the background on day two.
Like most Booker wines, this is juicy and aromatic. 100% Grenache. Day one had this as a pop and pour. Big heady notes of black cherry jam, peppered rhubarb and sweet herbs jump out of the glass. While a big style, credit to the Booker team for keeping this nervy with acidity. Not quite “crunchy” cranberry on the palate, but also not a total flavor bomb. Day two showed a kiss of citrus where it channeled a spiced blood orange and pomegranate note on the finish. I think this has a bit of upside over the next few years (which caught me off guard, in a good way), so no rush, but it’s in a good window now with a bit of air.
Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.
Beautiful nose of cherries, sweet strawberries, blueberries, black plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vegetables, coffee, eucalyptus and Mediterranean spices.
Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, tobacco, alcohol, peppercorn, espresso, chocolates, earth, light vegetables and pencil lead.
Long finish with fine grained tannins, cherries and red chili pepper.
This is a gorgeous Grenache from Paso Robles. Spicy and rich. Fruit forward and opulent. Just delicious.
Great right out of the bottle, and gets more complexity after 2 hours of airtime.
This 6 year old is showing great complexity now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
100% Grenache grapes were aged in French Oak barrels for 22 months.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$80.
Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.
Beautiful nose of cherries, sweet strawberries, blueberries, black plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vegetables, coffee, eucalyptus and Mediterranean spices.
Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, tobacco, alcohol, peppercorn, espresso, chocolates, earth, light vegetables and pencil lead.
Long finish with fine grained tannins, cherries and red chili pepper.
This is a gorgeous Grenache from Paso Robles. Spicy and rich. Fruit forward and opulent. Just delicious.
Great right out of the bottle, and gets more complexity after 2 hours of airtime.
This 6 year old is showing great complexity now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
100% Grenache grapes were aged in French Oak barrels for 22 months.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$80.
Les Riceys Champagne Terroir Study (all Les Riceys•2009 vintage•Pinot noir•zero dosage•4 different sites) + Old vs. New World Grenache Study: licorice, red fruit, herbal notes, 100% Grenache, 15.2% ABV, a powerful wine, would benefit from some time in the bottle, $85
Les Riceys Champagne Terroir Study (all Les Riceys•2009 vintage•Pinot noir•zero dosage•4 different sites) + Old vs. New World Grenache Study: licorice, red fruit, herbal notes, 100% Grenache, 15.2% ABV, a powerful wine, would benefit from some time in the bottle, $85
Feb 16th, 2020
Agree @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum - 22 months is better than the 16 month version - still needs time in the bottle to fully develop
Agree @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum - 22 months is better than the 16 month version - still needs time in the bottle to fully develop
Mar 3rd, 2019
A bit hot and dry. I don’t know why....
A bit hot and dry. I don’t know why....
Apr 8th, 2018
Juicy, raspberry, red cherry, black cherry, medium plus acidity, fun sluttiness! GRENACHE
Juicy, raspberry, red cherry, black cherry, medium plus acidity, fun sluttiness! GRENACHE
2 people found it helpfulFeb 22nd, 2015
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
This 2015 was aging very well. Still had lots of fruit and wasn’t showing any negative aging aromas or flavors. In contrast to its heavy bottle it is rather light in depth of color and body. It seemed a bit heady and high alcohol to me.
This 2015 was aging very well. Still had lots of fruit and wasn’t showing any negative aging aromas or flavors. In contrast to its heavy bottle it is rather light in depth of color and body. It seemed a bit heady and high alcohol to me.
1 person found it helpfulJan 1st, 2022
Black cherry and spice nose. Cherry pie with a hint of leather. Firm tannins but not dry. Still needs time
Black cherry and spice nose. Cherry pie with a hint of leather. Firm tannins but not dry. Still needs time
1 person found it helpfulMar 11th, 2017
Light in body but with razor intensity and drawn out complexity. Hard to find a better pure Grenache. So good Mircea decided to go in for a snort.
Light in body but with razor intensity and drawn out complexity. Hard to find a better pure Grenache. So good Mircea decided to go in for a snort.
1 person found it helpfulMar 12th, 2016
2014 was a monster decanted and by end of evening the sluttiness had faded and the cranberry raspberry fruits came alive to show so nice acidity buried in the there.
2014 was a monster decanted and by end of evening the sluttiness had faded and the cranberry raspberry fruits came alive to show so nice acidity buried in the there.
Sep 20th, 2016