Reviewing right after the 2016 "22 months" version. Both very tasty wines, but unfortunately, a little underwhelming for me. Despite my enjoyment of them in the moment, they both felt mostly very simple for their level ("fruit bombs"), lacking some expected power, and with some slight imbalance.
Like the 2016, this was pretty much all black fruit on the nose, with plum/blueberry preserves, not super deep, but nicely aromatic with a gentle perfume. This 2014 was a BIT more present and interesting than the 2016, with a slight bit of baking spice or something to lend complexity to the fruit, and it was overall a bit more present. Not the kind of seriously alluring, hedonist nose I hoped for with expensive Paso, but still nice.
In some ways I liked the palate here better than the 2016 (this had more structure and depth), and in some ways I liked it less, as the structure was a little off. This was the biggest difference from the '16- the tannins here were VERY gritty and coarse (a lot of Mourvedre here), where the '16 was soft and round. It was honestly a bit harsh at times, BUT it's also true that the alcohol heat was better-hidden here in the '14 also.
I'm rating this one point higher than the '16, and I did absolutely enjoy both, but I don't think I would buy this cuveé again considering the price and alternative options.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. Did not expect this to be so . . . BIG! Very rich and crammed with dark blueberries, blackberries, tar, graphite on the palate. The finish is quite long with enough tannins to make one question it's age - could easily go another 5-8 years. I regret not decanting. . .
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
It really is.. not knowing I rated so high before but looking now still agree. Nearly pop and smooth and balanced. Have 3 more but not sure when the decline starts but not in sight. A great wine to share with people you care about
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Heaven. Deep purple color with a nose of black pepper, green olives and sea salt. Instantly hedonic on the palate with a powerful bump of dark fruit and cigar smoke. Awesome.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big, bold and delicious. Nose is redolent with cassis, wild blackberries, tarragon and hints of wet mint leaves. Succulent and rich flavor on the palate; mouthwatering and delicious. A huge success. Drank with a boneless roasted leg of lamb, roasted carrots and peas with pancetta.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tight as a drum and steely for the first hour, finally opened up some after 90 minutes but only got to 92. Still had a closed and stiff mouth feel versus some other more lush GSMs. Hard to call a 92-point wine disappointing but I guess we are spoiled.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Can finally see the 2014s from Paso opening up. Still too early for this one, as every wine maker there will tell you. Drink the 15s 1st, its a warmer more forward vintage.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Agree with the tasting window here, not even close to ready. Tannins overpower, red fruit and vanilla, trust in the Booker this will right itself, but as it stands one of the more disappointing bottles from this estate - and we're huge fans.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
12/26/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Reviewing right after the 2016 "22 months" version. Both very tasty wines, but unfortunately, a little underwhelming for me. Despite my enjoyment of them in the moment, they both felt mostly very simple for their level ("fruit bombs"), lacking some expected power, and with some slight imbalance.
Like the 2016, this was pretty much all black fruit on the nose, with plum/blueberry preserves, not super deep, but nicely aromatic with a gentle perfume. This 2014 was a BIT more present and interesting than the 2016, with a slight bit of baking spice or something to lend complexity to the fruit, and it was overall a bit more present. Not the kind of seriously alluring, hedonist nose I hoped for with expensive Paso, but still nice.
In some ways I liked the palate here better than the 2016 (this had more structure and depth), and in some ways I liked it less, as the structure was a little off. This was the biggest difference from the '16- the tannins here were VERY gritty and coarse (a lot of Mourvedre here), where the '16 was soft and round. It was honestly a bit harsh at times, BUT it's also true that the alcohol heat was better-hidden here in the '14 also.
I'm rating this one point higher than the '16, and I did absolutely enjoy both, but I don't think I would buy this cuveé again considering the price and alternative options.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2023 - magic2coop Likes this wine: 93 Points
Boysenberry jam on nose, full throttle. Great structure. Dark chocolate, slight raspberry, forest floor. Impressive. Enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2022 - EvanJB wrote:
Drinking great now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2022 - UofM Likes this wine: 90 Points
Another solid bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2021 - R&R Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Did not expect this to be so . . . BIG! Very rich and crammed with dark blueberries, blackberries, tar, graphite on the palate. The finish is quite long with enough tannins to make one question it's age - could easily go another 5-8 years. I regret not decanting. . .
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2021 - mliszt Likes this wine: 96 Points
It really is.. not knowing I rated so high before but looking now still agree. Nearly pop and smooth and balanced. Have 3 more but not sure when the decline starts but not in sight. A great wine to share with people you care about
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2021 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 96 Points
Heaven. Deep purple color with a nose of black pepper, green olives and sea salt. Instantly hedonic on the palate with a powerful bump of dark fruit and cigar smoke. Awesome.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2021 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 96 Points
Big, bold and delicious. Nose is redolent with cassis, wild blackberries, tarragon and hints of wet mint leaves. Succulent and rich flavor on the palate; mouthwatering and delicious. A huge success. Drank with a boneless roasted leg of lamb, roasted carrots and peas with pancetta.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2021 - ravbik wrote: 93 Points
Big bold wine . Lots of sweet red fruits and some oak
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2021 - seijaro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tight as a drum and steely for the first hour, finally opened up some after 90 minutes but only got to 92. Still had a closed and stiff mouth feel versus some other more lush GSMs. Hard to call a 92-point wine disappointing but I guess we are spoiled.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2020 - chezbeach Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bold, yet balanced. Ready now, but could sir for another five years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2020 - seijaro Likes this wine: 93 Points
We liked this GSM blend better than last night's RLM proportions. A typical full-flavored CDP recipe done well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2019 - mliszt Likes this wine: 96 Points
Smooth like velvet
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2019 - Mountster27 wrote: 90 Points
Fruit muted compared to what were used to from Booker. Structure good. Felt like needed more time. Was decanted two hours.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2019 - mikemboutiquewines wrote: 93 Points
Can finally see the 2014s from Paso opening up. Still too early for this one, as every wine maker there will tell you. Drink the 15s 1st, its a warmer more forward vintage.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2019 - Neras wrote: 91 Points
Not up to the usual Booker quality. Quite inward, lacking fruit. Oaky and edgy. Not sure time will heal it. A rare Booker disappointment.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2019 - crushzone Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well made but 75% overpriced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2019 - smphelps wrote: 89 Points
I love Booker, but this was not my favorite. Seemed loose and undefined to me, with less grace and complexity as other Bookers.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2017 - PortFanatic wrote:
Great material here, but absolutely unready to drink. Needs 5+ years to resolve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2017 - cheezypoof wrote: 88 Points
Agree with the tasting window here, not even close to ready. Tannins overpower, red fruit and vanilla, trust in the Booker this will right itself, but as it stands one of the more disappointing bottles from this estate - and we're huge fans.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment