2017 2017 Booker Paso Robles Syrah, Rhone Blend & Grenache Horizontal

“The 2017 Oublié is a blockbuster, ranking with the finest wines in the vintage. Based on 56% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, 22% Syrah, brought up in 50% neutral barrels, its vivid purple color is followed by a full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant red that has a great nose of cassis, blackberries, white flowers, leafy herbs, and hints of pepper. It packs some muscle yet stays flawlessly balanced.” (10/2019)

“Saturated ruby. Deeply perfumed, spice-tinged aromas of black raspberry, floral oils, smoky minerals and vanilla; a mineral nuance builds in the glass. Juicy and densely packed but energetic as well, conveying a suave blend of power and finesse to the sweet red and blue fruit, violet pastille and spicecake flavors. Delivers a serious punch but comes off lithe, showing outstanding clarity and floral drive on an extremely long, gently tannic finish. 45% new puncheons. (JR)” (02/2020)

“The 2017 Oublié is a blend of 56% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 22% Mourvèdre aged in 35% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby, it has broody aromas of black cherries, underbrush, cured meats, dried red currants and dried cranberries with touches of graphite. The palate is medium to full-bodied and earthy with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness to lift the long, dense finish. (EB)” (02/2020)

“Framed by sinewy tannins, this blend abounds with blackberry, black licorice and crushed rock flavors, building richness and tension on a long finish. (TF)” (12/2019)

“Bottled in February of this year, the 100% Grenache 2017 Ripper has a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, white flowers, licorice, and subtle background oak. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has wonderful purity, fine tannins, and a great finish.” (10/2019)

“A highly perfumed bouquet displays scents of ripe red fruits, incense, candied flowers and smoky minerals, and a white pepper nuance builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, alluringly sweet raspberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors become fleshier and deeper with air while maintaining energy. Seamless, focused and graceful for its heft, finishing with resonating red fruit character, strong persistence and harmonious tannins that come up slowly. (JR)” (02/2020)

“The 2017 The Ripper is made of 100% Grenache aged in 25% new French oak puncheons. Pale to medium ruby, it features scents of raspberry preserves, rhubarb, dried red currants and red cherries, dried herbs, charcuterie and blood orange peel with amaro spices and an earthy undercurrent. Light to medium-bodied, the palate offers a great interplay of bright fruits and earthy/savory notions, with a firm, pleasantly chalky frame and great freshness, finishing long. (EB)” (02/2020)

“Shows breadth and presence, with a refined core of stony minerality and lively acidity, caressed by black raspberry, smoky bay leaf and espresso flavors that build tension toward fine-grained tannins. (TF)” (11/2019)

“The extended aged version of the Fracture is the 2017 Fracture 22, which spent close to two years in barrel. It's another thrilling wine, offering a brilliant display of pure crème de cassis intermixed with notions of Asian spices, toasted bread, vanilla bean, liquid violets, and charred meats. Full-bodied, incredibly pure, and concentrated, with subtle oak, it's an incredible, singular Syrah from this great estate that's a straight-up sexy and as seamless as they come.” (10/2019)

“The 2017 Fracture 22 (aged 22 months) has a deep ruby-purple color and is youthfully slow to open. With time, luscious scents of milk chocolate, crème de cassis, mint leaves, peppered meats, blueberry coulis, crushed black cherries and a classy vein of sweet spice emerge. It's full-bodied, silky and rich, slowly blossoming in the mouth, firmly framed and with great freshness on the long, layered finish. Give this another few years in bottle. (EB)” (02/2020)