2014 Fall Release Wines
2015 White
55% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 10% Marsanne 9% Petit Manseng
Consistency is what I love about my white wine. The use of skin contact and blending of various varietals always gives it that golden color with a rounded, soft mid-palate. For those of you looking for a crisp acidic wine, you’re in the wrong place. This wine is big and opulent, and the 2015 could arguably be one of my favorite whites I have ever made. In the past, I have sometimes pushed the skin contact too far and allowed the finish to get a little over the top from the skin extraction. In 15 I believe I nailed the exact amount of time on the skins (which was just pure luck!) It starts with ripe tropical fruits and pears, then moves to a soft, round middle and a long, beautiful honeysuckle finish.
2014 Estate Ext
51% Tempranillo, 28% Syrah, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Grenache
The 2014 version of the Estate Extended is one of our most accessible wines right out of the gate. The beautiful thing about this wine is that just when you think it's going to be too big with all of the Tempranillo, Syrah and Petit Verdot that small amount of Grenache comes in and turns it into an elegant wine. It starts off with black fruits and then transitions through the soft, supple mid-palate showing off an elegant red side. The finish is over a minute long. You can never go wrong with this wine!
2014 Vertigo Ext
68% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache
Along with the Fracture (released in the Spring), this is the most structured and tannic wine I have ever made. When I was writing my notes it wasn't until day five that this wine even showed me a few of his cards. Dominated by Syrah, it is an absolute beast that will take at least two years of cellaring before it starts to soften up. If you must open one within year one you will need to give it a heavy splash decant the day before you drink it. It has the ability to be a legendary wine, but will require patience.
2014 Tempranillo
100% Tempranillo
As massive and dark as this wine has ever been, this vintage truly screams all things dark with a double espresso shot with firm tannins yet surprising hints of red fruit on the finish. This beast will need at least a year to relax and become consumer friendly.
2014 Oublie
54% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 17% Counoise
Arguably the biggest and most concentrated Oublie ever, this wine reminds me of a Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from Marcoux or Janasse. Lots of ripe red fruit characteristics but a gorgeously proportioned mid-palate that you don't usually get from Grenache and Mourvedre. Feel free to crack this wine anytime.
2014 My Favorite Neighbor
43% Syrah, 35% Petit Verdot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
Always one of our most popular wines, MFN was aged in French oak for 24 months and is as balanced as it has ever been before. In barrel the Cabernet and Syrah wanted to rear their head and show their ripeness, but the massive Petit Verdot would not allow them. This is reminiscent of one of (my favorite neighbor) Stephan Asseo's legendary Estate Cuvee wines. You will be rewarded for aging this wine 2 years, however I opened one a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how ready it seemed right off the bottling line!
2014 Fulldraw Ext
46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre
This GSM from my Assistant Winemaker’s property immediately attached to Booker is usually a bigger wine showing a bit more black than red fruits, and the extended version does not disappoint. Yes, it has the big tannins we got from 14, but it is softer and more accessible now than most of the other wines. That said, with a large percentage of whole cluster fruit you will be better off waiting a couple of years on this one. Crack one in first 6 months and decide for yourself!