2023 Grenache The Ripper

Black raspberries, camphor, savory flowers, and spice all define the aromatics of the 2023 Ripper EXT, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a broad, layered mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. This beauty is more in the floral, almost Burgundian style of this cuvée today and shows gorgeous overall character. Booker Vineyard, founded by Eric Jensen in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, was fully acquired by Constellation Brands in 2021 after an initial minority stake in 2020, and Jensen remains involved. Winemaking is now led by Senior Winemaker Molly Lonborg (appointed in 2025) alongside GM/Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Pete Turrone. The lineup includes a single white, the Grenache-based Ripper, the GSM blend Oublie, the Syrah-led Vertigo, the 100% Syrah Fracture, a varietal Tempranillo, tiny Ones bottlings (Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) from the best barrels, and EXT versions that see extended élevage. The 2024s are still in barrel and primary, the 2023s are bottled and already showing their class, and overall these are medium to full-bodied, structured, age-worthy wines. While it’s valid to worry about quality when an estate is purchased by a larger corporation, the quality here remains every bit what it’s been.