2016 Booker Vertigo

I suspect the finest vintage to date, the 2016 Vertigo is a rock star effort and one of the top wines to ever come out of Paso Robles. Just loaded with notions of blueberries, incense, ground pepper, and crushed flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a multi-dimensional, layered texture, no hard edges, and incredible purity of fruit. A blend of 52% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 18% Mourvèdre brought up in 50% new French oak, it’s a monumental wine from Paso Robles to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. Eric Jensen’s Booker Vineyards continues to make a ripe, sexy, pedal-to-the-metal syle of wine and these latest 2016s don’t disappoint.

Made up of 52% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 18% Mourvèdre aged 18 months in 40% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 GSM Vertigo delivers kirsch, black cherry compote, redcurrant jelly and plum preserves notes with subtle notions of tar, pepper, black soil and Marmite toast. Full, concentrated and with super ripe, plush tannins, it has just enough freshness to lift the densely packed fruit to a long, earth-laced finish.