2011, 2013, 2014 Booker "My Favorite Neighbor" Paso Robles Red Blend

“Holding things slightly closer to the vest, the 2011 My Favorite Neighbor (46% Syrah, 40% Petit Verdot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon) has full-bodied richness and power to go with classic aromas and flavors of cassis, wild herbs, tobacco and cedar. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot really show here, with the Syrah component adding more plushness on the palate. Firming up nicely on the finish, with ripe, yet notable tannin, this serious 2011 should be given another 2-3 years in the cellar. While it will be hard to resist in its youth, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this drinking nicely at age 15 and beyond. (JD)” (08/2013)

“The 2011 My Favorite Neighbor is one of the many highlights at Booker this year. Explosive, full-bodied and opulent, the 2011 captures the generous, resonant warmth that is so typical of Paso Robles while at the same time retaining gorgeous balance and proportion. There is so much to like here. What a gorgeous wine! The blend is 46% Syrah, 40% Petit Verdot, and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon.” (07/2013)

“Inky purple. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit scents are lifted by zesty Asian spice and floral nuances. Ripe and fleshy, offering expansive cassis, blueberry and bitter chocolate flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Closes with firm, youthful tannins, lingering smokiness and a hint of black pepper. The most brooding wine in the Booker lineup this year and the only one that I'd insist on stashing away for another few years. (JR) 91+” (11/2013)

“A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the inky colored 2013 My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Blend is a heavenly blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Petit Verdot and 29% Syrah that spent 18 months in French oak. Thrillingly pure, layered, unctuous and massively concentrated, it exhibits classic notes of blueberries, violets, black raspberries, spice and graphite. These give way to a full-bodied, seamless and layered 2013 that has building tannin, incredible purity of fruit and a blockbuster finish. (JD)” (08/2015)

“Glass-staining purple. Intense smoke- and spice-accented aromas of fresh dark berries, vanilla and potpourri, with a hint of licorice in the background. At once ripe and vibrant, offering penetrating blackberry and blueberry flavors that become rounder with air. Pliant tannins give shape and grip to a strikingly long, smooth finish dominated by flowers and dark berries. (JR)” (09/2015)

“Hold onto your hats with this one, the 2014 My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Blend will see 24 months in barrel, and there will only be a single cuvee in 2014. This insanely good barrel sample gives up serious, inky, yet pure notes of violets, licorice, black raspberries, creme de cassis and graphite to go with building tannin, a stacked mid-palate and blockbuster length. I'd like to have a case of it in the cellar. (JD)” (08/2016)