2018 My Favorite Neighbor Red Blend Harvey and Harriet Paso Robles

WA93-95+ The barrel sample of 2018 Harvey and Harriet is made up of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 75% new French oak. Deep ruby-black in color, it has a very layered nose with aromas of exotic spices, crème de cassis, blackcurrant bud, tar and tilled black soil with hints of violet, lilac, cardamom and baking spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is silky and has a great interplay of fruit and spice. It has a firm, pleasantly chalky frame and just enough freshness, finishing long with a youthful cloaking of oak spice. About 9,400 cases will be made.
JD94 Moving to the reds, the entry-level Harvey and Harriet is always made in a richer, softer style compared to the classic My Favorite Neighbor cuvée. The 2018 offers a big, juicy bouquet of crème de cassis and jammy blackberries interwoven with lots of tobacco, cedar pencil, and earthy, foresty aromas and flavors. This ripe yet medium to full-bodied, polished, elegant beauty will drink nicely for at least a decade.

The My Favorite Neighbor releases are made by Eric Jensen and there are two cuvees, the Harvey and Harriet and the flagship My Favorite Neighbor. The Harvey and Harriet release is named after Jensen’s parents and includes small amounts of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Malbec. It’s made to be the more black-fruited, richer, more powerful wine in the lineup. The My Favorite Neighbor is more Cabernet Sauvignon dominated, and it’s the more elegant, red-fruited wine of the duo, yet it never lacks for fruit or richness. Both are brilliant wines, and as I wrote in one of the reviews, they would cost 2-3 times their going rate if they were from Napa Valley.
 
Eric Jensen of Booker Vineyard created this wine in honor of his parents. In a world of overpriced Cabernet blends, Eric’s hard working, honest, salt of the earth parents would have never been able to drink a decent wine. Harvey and Harriet is a wine that’s made by hard work, the best vineyard sites,

the best barrels, the best team and of course no additives or concentrates. A world class wine for everyone who appreciates high quality without the high price tag.

A lively, deep ruby appearance. Aromas of vanilla, cedar and dark forest spicy fruits. Silky and smooth with black cherry, cassis, nutmeg and cinnamon notes. Quite simply, this wine is yummy!