Saxum Booker Vineyard Paso Robles Willow Creek District 2012

98 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 Booker Vineyard is a blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre that was aged 20-26 months in 60% new French oak. It's a classic expression of the vineyard and offers up lots of smoked meats, cracked pepper, wild herbs and tons of dark fruit. Big, full-bodied, thick and chewy, it has gorgeous purity and sweetness of fruit. It shows surprising finesse and elegance with time in the glass, but make no mistake, it's a big, rich and decadent beauty that will benefit from short-term cellaring and age for 15+ years. Drink: 2017-2027. (8/27/15)"

93 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Inky purple. Smoky blackcurrant and blueberry aromas show excellent clarity, with building Asian spice and floral pastille qualities adding complexity. Seamless and sweet in the mouth, offering lively dark berry preserve and candied violet flavors and a bright, spicy kick on the back half. Finishes with supple tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit notes. Drink: 2020-2026. (Sep 2015)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Presents a massive core of earth- and dark berry-driven flavors, with dense mineral, graphite, crushed berry and rock, mocha and raspberry accents. Ends with a sturdy wall of tannins. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2016 through 2028. 389 cases made. (3/31/15)"