Decanted for nearly 2 hours before serving, tasting periodically. Didn't seem make much difference. This vintage is definitely heading down hill, even the cork crumbled and need to be extracted by a two-pronged Ah-So wine opener. Not much fruit on the nose or initial taste, but in the mouth it provided a curious layering of flavors as if the wine wanted to reveal its original glory. Once paired with a charcuterie tray, the age difference seemed less important, and we enjoyed the wine. I'm said to say that we had stored our treasured Justifications, and just unearthed them to fine we have a 10-year vertical from 1997 through 2006. I'm afraid our investment will not have been a good one.
Decanted for nearly 2 hours before serving, tasting periodically. Didn't seem make much difference. This vintage is definitely heading down hill, even the cork crumbled and need to be extracted by a two-pronged Ah-So wine opener. Not much fruit on the nose or initial taste, but in the mouth it provided a curious layering of flavors as if the wine wanted to reveal its original glory. Once paired with a charcuterie tray, the age difference seemed less important, and we enjoyed the wine. I'm said to say that we had stored our treasured Justifications, and just unearthed them to fine we have a 10-year vertical from 1997 through 2006. I'm afraid our investment will not have been a good one.
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Black color. Pretty, expressive nose of wood smoke, briary dark berry &, when first opened, a hint of sweet, stewed tomatoes. Normally I don't think tomato works in a wine profile, but in this case it works. Lovely, expressive nose. The deep fruit balancing the stemmy elements. Lush, full entry of juicy blackberry & blueberry flavors all wrapped in oak smoke & tannins. Those tannins dominate the finish. This needs food & went really nicely with the grass feed Aussie rib-eyes off the grill pan. Lovely wine if you can tame the tannins with food.
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Propelled by dominating notes of black olive, charred timber and an underpinning of fresh earth, this Central Coast red hits the mark. Ripe fruit comes into play with black cherry, currant and red berries. Rustic, with savory grilled herbs flowing down the path dotted by hints of cedar and spice box. A well appointed, long lasting finish gleaming with coffee and shades of tobacco. Showing well for a wine of it's age, this Justification has already probably peaked, so drink up.
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very very ripe, to the point that its not possible to think of this wine as an expression of place or grape or anything other than jammy rich fruit. in that style, it is a well made wine, but this wine was a concrete reminder for me of why this is not a style that interests me.
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Burnt wood, alcohol heat and stewed fruit on the nose. Boozy, bruised, spicy fruit on the palette. Very full-bodied, with coarse tannin. Improves a little with aeration, but I think this is past its prime. Astringent Big Bold Aggressive Oaky Spicy
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The nose had dark fruits, a lot of earthiness, and some high toned aromas that weren't exactly bell pepper, but they were close. The palate had plums and blackberries with a nice earthy/mushroom note. Medium bodied with a medium-long finish. Nice pairing with a steak and sauteed mushrooms.
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Opened up after 2 + hours to become a fluid wine. Smooth fruit with lead. No heat. New label on an old school classic from Justin. Do decant for several hours prior to the first pour and you'll be rewarded.
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Lots of fruit, almost over the top. We opened something else to have with dinner, but enjoyed a bit of this afterwards. Finished a bit hot, but not bad. Really enjoyed the fruit component, but it overwhelms many foods.
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The aromas were very engaging and was dominated by the boysenberry syrup. There was none of the bellpepper odor I normally expect from a cabernet franc. The initial sensation on the palette is plush with a great deal of fruit. The mid-palate was soft and very distinctively cabernet franc.
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12/6/2020 - Erick Wand Does not like this wine:
Bad. Aged out. Waited too long, lost our investment in some quality wines.
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1/5/2020 - Erick Wand wrote: 80 Points
Decanted for nearly 2 hours before serving, tasting periodically. Didn't seem make much difference. This vintage is definitely heading down hill, even the cork crumbled and need to be extracted by a two-pronged Ah-So wine opener. Not much fruit on the nose or initial taste, but in the mouth it provided a curious layering of flavors as if the wine wanted to reveal its original glory. Once paired with a charcuterie tray, the age difference seemed less important, and we enjoyed the wine. I'm said to say that we had stored our treasured Justifications, and just unearthed them to fine we have a 10-year vertical from 1997 through 2006. I'm afraid our investment will not have been a good one.
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1/4/2020 - Erick Wand wrote: 80 Points
Decanted for nearly 2 hours before serving, tasting periodically. Didn't seem make much difference. This vintage is definitely heading down hill, even the cork crumbled and need to be extracted by a two-pronged Ah-So wine opener. Not much fruit on the nose or initial taste, but in the mouth it provided a curious layering of flavors as if the wine wanted to reveal its original glory. Once paired with a charcuterie tray, the age difference seemed less important, and we enjoyed the wine. I'm said to say that we had stored our treasured Justifications, and just unearthed them to fine we have a 10-year vertical from 1997 through 2006. I'm afraid our investment will not have been a good one.
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5/24/2015 - wine maestro wrote: 86 Points
02 Central Coast Horizontal
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10/27/2012 - ed-d wrote: 92 Points
Black color. Pretty, expressive nose of wood smoke, briary dark berry &, when first opened, a hint of sweet, stewed tomatoes. Normally I don't think tomato works in a wine profile, but in this case it works. Lovely, expressive nose. The deep fruit balancing the stemmy elements. Lush, full entry of juicy blackberry & blueberry flavors all wrapped in oak smoke & tannins. Those tannins dominate the finish. This needs food & went really nicely with the grass feed Aussie rib-eyes off the grill pan. Lovely wine if you can tame the tannins with food.
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8/18/2012 - BATWine wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious. Wish we had more. Great fruit, and a lot of depth.
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8/6/2012 - Tight Lines Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice cab franc taste
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2/12/2012 - wine maestro wrote: 89 Points
Propelled by dominating notes of black olive, charred timber and an underpinning of fresh
earth, this Central Coast red hits the mark. Ripe fruit comes into play with black cherry,
currant and red berries. Rustic, with savory grilled herbs flowing down the path dotted
by hints of cedar and spice box. A well appointed, long lasting finish gleaming with coffee
and shades of tobacco. Showing well for a wine of it's age, this Justification has already
probably peaked, so drink up.
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2/21/2011 - JCDR wrote: 92 Points
really smooth. wonderful texture. nufortunately i am now all out.
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9/22/2010 - sgilbrech wrote:
Awesome, luscious, smooth. Tasted really wonderful with Veal Scallopine.
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2/13/2010 - brooklynguy wrote:
very very ripe, to the point that its not possible to think of this wine as an expression of place or grape or anything other than jammy rich fruit. in that style, it is a well made wine, but this wine was a concrete reminder for me of why this is not a style that interests me.
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2/9/2010 - cybergod wrote: 80 Points
Burnt wood, alcohol heat and stewed fruit on the nose. Boozy, bruised, spicy fruit on the palette. Very full-bodied, with coarse tannin. Improves a little with aeration, but I think this is past its prime. Astringent Big Bold Aggressive Oaky Spicy
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10/10/2009 - stevenjstein wrote: 92 Points
Great fruit still left. Plum, with some earthiness and mild tannins.
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5/2/2009 - Cloverstudio wrote: 91 Points
Delicious fruity wine.
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8/2/2008 - last chance wrote: 91 Points
The nose had dark fruits, a lot of earthiness, and some high toned aromas that weren't exactly bell pepper, but they were close. The palate had plums and blackberries with a nice earthy/mushroom note. Medium bodied with a medium-long finish. Nice pairing with a steak and sauteed mushrooms.
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5/27/2008 - LegendaryL wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, silky and well structured.
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12/12/2007 - sbfireman wrote: 89 Points
Opened up after 2 + hours to become a fluid wine. Smooth fruit with lead. No heat. New label on an old school classic from Justin. Do decant for several hours prior to the first pour and you'll be rewarded.
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10/22/2007 - win wrote: 89 Points
Lots of fruit, almost over the top. We opened something else to have with dinner, but enjoyed a bit of this afterwards. Finished a bit hot, but not bad. Really enjoyed the fruit component, but it overwhelms many foods.
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5/26/2006 - Jones wrote: 93 Points
One of my all time favorites. Love this winery. Bought case after discovering it at Fava Restaurant, Needham MA
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5/19/2006 - kstoddard wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/29/2004 - wayfool wrote: 92 Points
The aromas were very engaging and was dominated by the boysenberry syrup. There was none of the bellpepper odor I normally expect from a cabernet franc. The initial sensation on the palette is plush with a great deal of fruit. The mid-palate was soft and very distinctively cabernet franc.
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