Inaugural Release Offers New Expressions from iconic Paso Robles Winery
January 19th – Paso Robles, CA—Booker Vineyard today introduced the inaugural release of PERL—a Rhône-style blend that opens the door to new expressions from this iconic Paso Robles winery.
The Booker 2020 PERL Paso Robles ($75) is composed of Syrah (91%) and Grenache (9%) from Booker’s Willow Creek District estate, with contributions from Moonsprings and Catapult vineyards—marking a departure from Booker’s longtime focus on estate-only wines. PERL is available in select Booker accounts nationwide.
“PERL is a new home for all of this incredible fruit that we have discovered in westside Paso Robles and beyond,” said farmer-winemaker Eric Jensen, who founded Booker Vineyard in 2005 with his wife Lisa. “This wine is about finding these gems, or what I call pearls, at other vineyards. It gives me the freedom to break out and bring some of my favorite vineyard blocks into the Booker fold.”
PERL Vineyards & Winemaking
The 2020 PERL comes from three standout vineyards in the coastal westside region of Paso Robles.
The organically farmed Booker estate vineyard is renowned for producing some of California’s most acclaimed Rhône-style varietal wines and blends. Moonsprings is one of Paso Robles’ newest superstar vineyards, tucked amid the westernmost hillsides of the Templeton Gap District. Catapult Vineyard resides adjacent to the Booker estate in the Willow Creek District, also in the direct path of the Templeton Gap effect.
Each individual vineyard lot was destemmed, fermented in stainless steel and aged in 50 percent new French oak barrels prior to final blending. The 2020 PERL offers aromas of cured meat, black olive, black pepper, graphite and clove with undertones of violets and raspberry coulis. Full, round, mouth-coating lushness is framed by assertive gravelly tannins, all unfolding into a long, lingering finish.
Established in 2005 by owner-winemaker Eric Jensen, Booker Vineyard & Winery specializes in premium estate wines from its 60-acre organic vineyard in westside Paso Robles. Booker’s wines are perennially acclaimed as among the finest in California. In 2021, Booker opened a state-of-the-art visitor center with underground wine caves and an indoor-outdoor tasting lounge that flows into the vineyard environment. Booker also produces wines under the banner of two sibling brands—My Favorite Neighbor and Harvey & Harriet. The winery and estate vineyard are solar powered, and the vineyard is CCOF certified. Visit BookerWines.com.
