Tasting Notes

WA96

Beautifully done, and probably the most elegant, seamless version of this cuvee I’ve tasted, the 2011 Booker Vineyard offers terrific aromas and flavors of liquid violets, sappy underbrush, smoked , exotic spices and plenty of crushed rock-like minerality that are all carried by layers of sweet cassis and black raspberry. There’s a northern Rhone-like character here, but it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fantastic mid-palate concentration, and a seamless, layered and multi-dimensional mouthfeel that’s hard to resist. Made from 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre and aged in 300- and 350-liter hogsheads (and fermented with varying degrees of whole cluster), this beautifully pure, polished and complex effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over 15 years of overall longevity. 96+

V92–94

The 2011 Booker Vineyard is one of the richest, most powerful wines in range. Black fruit, melted road tar, licorice wrap around the palate and never lets up. There is nothing subtle about the Booker Vineyard. The muscular, massive style is distinctive but also a bit on the bombastic side. Booker is clearly capable of producing intense wines, but I think it can do so much more than just that. In 2011 the blend is 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre. Range: 92-94 Points

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