Harvey & Harriet Red Blend
Full-bodied red wine · Booker Vineyard
Vintage: Recent Vintage
Type
Full-bodied red wine
Producer
Booker Vineyard
Country
United States
Vintage
Recent Vintage
Region & Appellation
California, San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles
Grape Varieties
Bordeaux-style red blend typically led by Cabernet Sauvignon, flanked by Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby-purple core with a vibrant magenta rim, showing high viscosity and slow-moving legs that signal concentration.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and cassis, complemented by secondary notes of vanilla, toasted cedar, espresso, and a subtle hint of graphite and dried herbs.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and opulent attack leading to a lush, textured mid-palate of dark berry preserves and baking spices. The finish is long, warming, and framed by structured yet supple tannins.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by rich blackberry, black plum, and dark cherry, layered with non-fruit flavors of mocha, sweet pipe tobacco, black pepper, and integrated French oak.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a plush, velvety mouthfeel, rounded out by a rich extract level and seamless integration of alcohol and structure.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity providing necessary freshness to balance the opulent fruit, coupled with firm, fine-grained, and ripe tannins that offer great structure.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with rich ripe fruit perceptions giving a hint of sweetness on the palate balanced completely by structural dryness.
Alcohol Content
14.5% to 15.0% ABV, typical of high-end Paso Robles reds, lending warmth and generous weight to the palate.
Aging & Oak
Aged extensively in French oak barrels, a significant portion being new, contributing complex aromas of spice, toast, and vanilla.
Food Pairings
Ideal with heavy proteins such as grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, braised short ribs, or hard aged cheeses like an aged gouda or cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F (15-18°C) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is highly recommended to open up the dense aromatics and soften the youthful tannins.
Price Range
30 to 50 USD
Quality Assessment
Estimated score of 91-93 points, representing a super-premium tier red blend that consistently delivers exceptional quality and value from Paso Robles.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested fruit, sorted meticulously, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete vats with native and cultured yeasts, followed by barrel aging.
Terroir
Paso Robles terroir defined by warm daytime temperatures, cooling Pacific breezes via the Templeton Gap, and a mix of calcareous and alluvial soils.
History & Heritage
Named after Eric Jensen's (founder of Booker Vineyard) parents, Harvey & Harriet is a heartfelt tribute designed to produce a world-class, accessible red blend.
Interesting Facts
The label features a whimsical line drawing of two people balancing on a tightrope, representing Eric Jensen's parents and the delicate balance required in winemaking.
Cellaring Potential
Enjoyable now with proper decanting, but will gracefully age and evolve in optimal cellar conditions for 5 to 8 years.
Similar Wines
Paso Robles Bordeaux blends like Daou Vineyards Soul of a Lion, Justin Isosceles, or robust Napa Valley Cabernet blends.