Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a Paso Robles Cabernet-dominant blend bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 95 points by Tasting Panel and 94 points from both James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck, this vintage delivers serious concentration and structure from one of Paso Robles' most respected estate producers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Paso Robles, California  |  Vintage: 2021  |  Winery: Booker Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Booker Vineyard, founded by Eric Jensen on Paso Robles' coveted westside, has earned a reputation for bold, terroir-driven wines from its estate vineyards. My Favorite Neighbor is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah, and 1% Syrah — a five-variety composition that adds layered complexity to the wine's core structure. The 2021 vintage was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, employing small-lot vinification techniques that preserve vineyard character while building fine-grained tannin integration. The label itself pays tribute to Jensen's neighbor, Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the Paso Robles winemaking community.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vivid black cherry and cassis, followed by hints of cedar and warm baking spice. A subtle complexity develops as the wine breathes, revealing deeper dark fruit and a faint earthiness.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, immediately coating the palate with lush blackberry and ripe plum. At mid-palate, layers of dark chocolate and sweet tobacco emerge alongside a pop of red fruit that brightens the profile. Fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provide a beautifully crafted structure that keeps the wine balanced despite its considerable weight.

Finish: The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of tobacco, cedar, and dark berry compote. A fine tannic grip holds through the close, leaving a polished impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink My Favorite Neighbor

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F) after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting, which allows the French oak integration and secondary aromatics to fully open. It rewards patient, attentive sipping on its own. For a Cabernet and Coq au Vin pairing, the wine's dark fruit and spice complement braised poultry beautifully. In a wine-forward Red Wine Sangria, the plum and berry intensity carries through citrus and brandy additions. For a refined Mulled Wine variation during cooler months, the existing cassis and warm spice notes align naturally with traditional mulling aromatics.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Cabernet collector or Paso Robles enthusiast
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner party with grilled or braised red meats
• Adding a critically acclaimed bottle to a cellar for medium-term aging (3–7 years)
• Marking a milestone occasion with a high-scoring California red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does My Favorite Neighbor taste like? This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate, with undercurrents of sweet tobacco and cedar. Vibrant acidity and fine tannins keep the wine structured and balanced through a long finish.

How does My Favorite Neighbor compare to L'Aventure wines? Both estates are westside Paso Robles neighbors, and the My Favorite Neighbor label was originally created as an homage to L'Aventure's Stephan Asseo. While L'Aventure leans heavily into Bordeaux and Rhône-inspired blends with notable Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah cuvées, My Favorite Neighbor focuses on a Cabernet-dominant profile with supporting Petit Verdot, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Syrah at a competitive quality level.

Is My Favorite Neighbor good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its full body, fine tannins, and layered complexity make it an excellent choice for contemplative sipping, especially after decanting for 30 to 60 minutes to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is My Favorite Neighbor made? My Favorite Neighbor is produced by Booker Vineyard, located on the westside of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, California. The westside appellation is prized for its calcareous soils, diurnal temperature swings, and maritime influence from the nearby Pacific.

What foods pair well with My Favorite Neighbor? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit intensity and tannic backbone. Braised short ribs mirror its tobacco and spice complexity. Aged cheddar or Gruyère accentuate the mid-palate richness. Dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's cocoa notes. Herb-crusted lamb loin pairs naturally with the cedar and savory undertones.

What sizes does My Favorite Neighbor come in? My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is My Favorite Neighbor worth the price? With 95 points from Tasting Panel and 94 points from both James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck, this wine positions as a premium Paso Robles Cabernet that competes favorably with higher-priced Napa Valley bottlings, offering strong critical validation for its quality tier.

Why My Favorite Neighbor?

The 2021 vintage of My Favorite Neighbor stands out in the crowded California Cabernet landscape through its combination of critical acclaim — 95 points from Tasting Panel and dual 94-point scores from Suckling and Dunnuck — and a distinctive five-variety blend that adds dimension rarely found in single-varietal bottlings. The 18-month French oak aging program builds polish without overwhelming the wine's fruit-driven core, and the estate's westside Paso Robles terroir delivers a concentration and complexity that has put this appellation on the map alongside California's most celebrated wine regions. For drinkers seeking a serious, age-worthy Cabernet blend with verifiable pedigree and a compelling origin story, this bottle delivers well beyond its weight class.