Accolades
JUST JUSTIN on the front lines
Wine Enthusiast (Upcoming) April 2010 Issue
93 Points, Editor's Choice - 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
This is quite easily the best Justin Cabernet ever. The wine achieves a new height of richness of fruit, dazzling with waves of blackberries, blueberries, cassis and chocolate, liberally enhanced with sweet vanilla oak. Yet it’s bone dry, and the tannins are immaculate, with enough acids for balance. Gorgeous now with haute cuisine. Editors’ Choice. —S.H. Download the Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
90 Points - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
A very nice Cab, on a par with last year’s very fine one and quite as good as the 2002. It’s dry and rich in black and red cherries, red currants, cola and chocolate, with firm, velvety tannins. Beautiful now and for a few more years. —S.H.
Wine Enthusiast - March 2010 Issue
92 Points - 2007 JUSTIFICATION
Easily one of the best JUSTIN reds in years. An unusual blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it shows a wonderful texture, courtesy of softly ripe tannins and just-in-time acidity. The flavors are all cherries: pie filling, red currants, and ripely fresh fruit off the tree on a hot summer day. Delicious and compelling. —S.H.
91 Points - 2007 SAVANT
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and a drop of Malbec, presumably for color and body, represents a big step forward for JUSTIN. It has the structure and impressive dryness of a fine wine, with pure, deep flavors of black currants and cedar. Delicious and elegant, it should hold in the bottle for 3–5 years. —S.H.
Wine Enthusiast - Dec 31, 2009
95 Points, #53 of the Top 100 Wines of 2009 - 2006 Reserve Cabernet
Although this Cab is quite tannic, it's really good now. Shows impeccable balance in a New World style that oozes black and red currants, dark chocolate, licorice, cedar and plums, with a note of raw, bloody meat. Very high quality, an excellent rendition of western Paso Robles hillside Cabernet. Good through 2015, with proper cellaring.
Wine Enthusiast - October 2009
91 Points - 2006 SAVANT
Decanter - September 2009
5 Stars - 2006 ISOSCELES
A sophisticated wine; silky textured and distinguished, with generous fruit, sleek tannins and a long, rich and seductive finish.
4 Stars - 2006 JUSTIFICATION
Aromatic, peppery nose with an elegant, spicy palate and satin tannins. There is a note of fresh herbs on the long and energetic finish.
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate - August 2009
93 Points - 2007 FOCUS
A gorgeous effort, the complex, dense purple-colored 2007 Focus exhibits notes of incense, spice box, Christmas fruitcake, sweet cassis, and blackberries. With terrific texture, wonderful opulence, and seductive qualities that please both the hedonistic and intellectual senses, this full-bodied wine can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years.
The Tasting Panel - July 2009
94 Points - 2006 ISOSCELES
Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition - June 2009
Platinum Medal, Gold Medal, Best of Class, Best Meritage - 2006 ISOSCELES
Beverage Testing Institute's World Wine Championships Wine Packaging Competition - February 2009
Silver Medal, Graphic Design - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Enthusiast - March 2009
95 Points - 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Although this Cab is quite tannic, it’s really good now. Shows impeccable balance in a New World style that oozes black and red currants, dark chocolate, licorice, cedar and plums, with a note of raw, bloody meat. Very high quality, an excellent rendition of western Paso Robles hillside Cabernet. Good through 2015, with proper cellaring. —S.H.
90 Points - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
More elegant than powerful, this Cab is medium-bodied and dry, with a silky texture. It has pleasant cherry, red currant, cola, violet, pepper and spice flavors, and is quite food-friendly for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. —S.H.
2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
DOUBLE GOLD - 2006 JUSTIFICATION
GOLD - 2005 ISOSCELES
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - November/December 2008
90 Points - 2005 ISOSCELES
Inky ruby. Impressively complex bouquet of cassis, cherry-cola, potpourri, graphite and Asian spices; lots going on here. Juicy, finely etched dark fruit flavors are sweetened by a suave vanillin oak quality and firmed by silky tannins. The spiciness carries through the long, seductively sweet finish. Showing very nicely today. - Josh Raynolds
Decanter-January 2009
4 Stars - 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
3 Stars - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Robert Parker - December 2008
91 Points - 2004 ISOSCELES Reserve
Sweet crème de cassis, dark cherry, loamy earth, and toasty oak aromas jump from the glass of the dense ruby/purple-colored 2004 ISOSCELES Reserve (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec). It showcases just what intelligently blended Bordeaux varietals can achieve in Paso Robles. With sweet tannin, a bold, dramatic personality, copious quantities of black fruits, and abundant body, but no sense of heaviness or astringency, this rich 2004 should be even better in 2-3 years, and will last for 10-15 years.
90 Points - 2005 JUSTIFICATION
The 2005 JUSTIFICATION, a St.-Emilion look-alike, is a blend of 64% Cabernet Franc and 36% Merlot. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by subtle notes of bay leaf, blue and black fruits, and graphite. Medium-bodied with broad, savory flavors, considerable elegance, and a spicy finish, it should drink well for 5-10 years.
Decanter-October 2008
"The most influential wine competition in the world"
USA Regional Trophy Winner - Top USA Bordeaux Blend - 2005 ISOSCELES
Earthy, toned aromas of toffee and mocha combine with a good core of black flavours with length. - Decanter Regional Chairman Stephen Brook's wine of the competition
(The best wine of all USA Gold Medal Winners! The only American blend to win a trophy!)
Decanter - September 2008
4 Stars - 2004 ISOSCELES
"Full-flavoured, with ripe blackberry and cassis, subtle earth and leather, chewy tannins and a long, slightly herbal finish. 2009-2016." - Linda Murphy
Wine Spectator - June 2008
92 points - 2005 ISOSCELES
Smooth, rich, elegant and refined, with a tight, sleek focus on ripe, vibrant, even juicy red currant, black cherry and wild berry flavors that are impeccably balanced, ending with a long, complex finish that keeps the fruity flavors reverberating. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2015.—J.L.
Wine Enthusiast – February 2007
On the Cover, by Chris Rubin, Interview with Jaime Pressly, Actress, “My Name is Earl”:
“’JUSTIN ISOSCELES changed my whole perception of wine’, she says.”