Justin, "Isosceles," Paso Robles, California, 2021

Overview of the Wine
We planted our first vineyard back in 1981 with a mission to make world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Since then, we’ve expanded both our knowledge of viticulture in this unique region as well as our acreage. Rich in fossilized limestone from eons of marine deposits, JUSTIN’s soil is ideally suited to creating big, Bordeaux-style reds. The limestone “stresses” the vines, producing grapes that fully express their varietal character. Paso Robles’ distinctive microclimate offers the widest day-night temperature swings of any grape-growing region in California. The hot days allow the grapes to develop intense flavor, while the cool nights create great structure and balance.

In 1987,  Justin made their first vintage of a wine styled after the famous First Growth producers of Bordeaux, created with the same uncompromising care as the Grands Vins of those venerable chateaux. For more than 30 vintages, ISOSCELES has been our flagship wine and quality benchmark for this style of wine here on the Central Coast of California. A blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon supported by Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2018 ISOSCELES shows why Paso Robles is such a great place to grow these varieties.

Grape / Blend
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Paso Robles, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Appearance is bright with a dark purple/black core lightening to ruby/purple at the rim, with slowly forming, moderately stained tears on the glass. Aroma is complex and attractively aromatic, showing very ripe cherry and black currant fruit followed by savory notes of cedar, pipe tobacco, vanilla bean, baking spice, and warm oak.

Full-bodied on the palate with ripe notes of crème de cassis and black cherry jam, with hints of red berry fruit on entry and vanilla, licorice, and baking spice leading into the midpalate, which shows complex savory notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, and leather. The lengthy and continually changing finish progresses from ripe black cherry fruit flavors accented by baking spice and oak notes to ripe chewy tannins and balancing acidity that adds depth and freshness.