96 pts - rare release New release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards. As always, limited. 96 Points Robert Parker: "Competing with Epoch's top-notch Tempranillo as the best example of the variety in California, Jensen's 2013 Tempranillo is a blockbuster that's not made in every vintage. Black cherries, currants, leather, dried herbs and savory spices all emerge from this full-bodied, thick and unctuously textured beauty. It has the classic tannic grip of the variety, yet that's paired with the hallmark texture and purity of the estate. This is an awesome wine any way you look at it." While certainly the character of Paso’s winemaking motley crew, Booker Vineyard’s Eric Jensen is dead serious when it comes to wine. Creating the estate in 2005 (they planted their vineyard in 2001), today he farms one of the greatest vineyards in the appellation and his wines consistently rank in the top two or three produced in a vintage. Looking at the new 2013s reviewed in this report (his 2012s were all reviewed last year), this vintage was described by Eric as his “holy grail” vintage, and I couldn’t argue with him. These are incredible wines that have another level of depth and texture over past vintages, yet don’t give an inch with regard to purity, precision or focus. The only drawback here is the wines are made in tiny quantities and are moved almost exclusively through his mailing list. Nevertheless, these 2013s are hands down the finest wines to date from this brilliant estate.
Shay A
Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility! Alongside the Harris, this was my favorite. My very first Booker wine and it was decadent. Needs a healthy decant but at 30mins in, nutmeg and toasted oak, pipe tobacco and Mexican vanilla. Rhubarb spicy finish. Need to try more of these!
Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility! Alongside the Harris, this was my favorite. My very first Booker wine and it was decadent. Needs a healthy decant but at 30mins in, nutmeg and toasted oak, pipe tobacco and Mexican vanilla. Rhubarb spicy finish. Need to try more of these!
9.4Josh Orr
Big boy! Paso Robles Tempranillo with some muscle! #pasorobles #tempranillo
Big boy! Paso Robles Tempranillo with some muscle! #pasorobles #tempranillo
9.0Peter Yeung
Dense
Dense
9.1Thomas Sorbo
Deep purple
Deep purple
9.2Jeffrey Long
Needs a lot of air time yet. Should be fantastic tomorrow morning.
Needs a lot of air time yet. Should be fantastic tomorrow morning.
9.3Paul T- Huntington Beach
Almost as good as the 14, just not as big
Almost as good as the 14, just not as big
9.5Liz Gresham
Big bold great with steak.
Big bold great with steak.
9.4Stanley Barrios
2013
2013
WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.