“Going To Put Smile On Everyone’s Face”: 2016 Booker Reserve List: 2016 Booker Allocation
Posted on: 10/10/18 12:01 PM
Ripe, sexy and highly exclusive–the 2016 Booker allocation is the entire point the Reserve List exists. One of the truly great wineries of Paso Robles, Eric Jensen’s renowned estate annually produces some of the most elusive treasures for collectors of Californian wine. Always averaging between 96 to 100 points each vintage, these wines always hit the ball out of the park–for the critics and their huge loyal following. Just take a look at Jeb Dunnuck’s monster scores below!
The name Booker comes from the two orphan brothers, Claude and Dick Booker, who had purchased the land in the late 1920’s. By the turn of the century the Booker brothers had acquired over 1,200 acres on Paso’s Westside and were two of Paso Roble’s most famous and beloved residents. When they passed away, 100% of the estate was left for charity. Flash forward to 2001, Eric and Lisa Jensen purchased 100 acres of their former Booker brother’s property. The goal? To make some of the best fruit Paso Robles could ever provide. They achieved that, and then some. In time the Jensen’s began producing their own wine. It was a good idea. The wines have been huge cult hits ever since.
Warning: As you can see below, the 2016’s have enormous scores. However, quantities are limited!! Order fast!
2016 Booker Oublie
“A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, fermented with roughly 40% Stems, the 2016 Oubile is incredibly primary and has a southern Rhone like profile of black raspberries, peppery spice, and dried herbs. Full-bodied, elegant and silky, with fine tannin, it’s an incredible wine.” 95-97+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2016 Booker Ripper
“Made from 100% Grenache brought up all in barrel, the 2016 Ripper is about a sexy as they come. Black raspberries, incense, crushed flowers, blackberry jam and spring flower notes all give way to a rich, structured, gorgeously elegant red that’s up with the creme de la crème.” 95-97+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2016 Booker Fracture
“Black raspberries, cassis, licorice, and hints of vanilla all flow to a gorgeously pure, seamless, silky, layered beauty that has sensational tannin quality, a great mid-palate and a clean, lengthy finish. 2016 Fracture is a killer barrel sample.” 96-100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2016 Booker Vertigo
“The 2016 Vertigo (52% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 18% Mourvèdre) is a smoking barrel sample. Blackberries, blueberries, violets, spring flowers, and loads of spice give way to a ripe, sexy, voluptuous barrel sample that’s going to put a smile on everyone’s face. 95-98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2016 Booker “My Favorite Neighbor”
“Still in barrel, the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated 2016 My Favorite Neighbor offers smokin’ notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, licorice, smoke tobacco, and hints of violets. With full-bodied are still fresh, chalky, moderately tannic, elegant and lengthy red. One of the leaders of the Paso wine scene is undoubtedly Eric Jensen’s Booker Vineyard (I’ve affectionately called this group the motley crew before). Jensen and his wife Lisa purchased these 72 acres in 2001, with their wines released in 2005. Since then, the wines have evolved from uber rich and forward, to today where they’re more polished, complete and structured. Looking at his 2015s, which Jensen compared to his 2010 and 2013s, they show the more elegant style of the vintage, yet pack plenty of fruit and texture. His 2016s are certainly bigger wines, yet have plenty of tannin and a focused style on the palate which I suspect will benefit from short term cellaring. In addition to his Rhône variety releases and blends, it’s worth pointing out the quality coming from his Cabernet Sauvignons as well. These are seriously good wines!” 95-97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
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