Big, bold, haughty but elegant! The nose is overly expressive with soft toasty oak, lanolin, and buttered popcorn. Doesn’t bode well until you take a sip and are bombarded with tropical pineapple, soft vanilla, citrus oil, soft cream and a balanced amount of acid to keep it fresh and inviting. So much fun!
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Wow! Purchased at a local wine store. Took home, drank one glass and let rest open for an hour. Came back, nose of saddle leather, mocha, blackberry, slight raspberry confection, wet pencil lead. On the palate, gorgeous dark brambly fruit, subtle but effective tannins give gravitas, coffee, and a lift of acid to keep you coming back for more. As it opens, the nose evolves. Could smell it for a half hour. The palate remains dense dark chewy but not leadened. Really a great value even at $60. Could easily stand for another 3-5 years, possibly more. This is the quintessence of American Merlot.
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A well made Cabernet prototypical of the Paso region. But, doesn't warrant the Reserve name or extra money. Drink like a slightly less concentrated regular Justin Cabernet. No real complexity or tannins to say, "Wow! This is so much better." Nose of creme de cassis, mint, and dark black fruit. Not much in the way of structure or tertiary notes. Palate much the same, plush, fruity, heat from the 16% alcohol. After an hour the typical stewed cooked fruit element comes out, not very elegant. For the price, much better can be had. Not reserve in any way!
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2021 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard
12/3/2023 - lvepicure Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big, bold, haughty but elegant!
The nose is overly expressive with soft toasty oak, lanolin, and buttered popcorn. Doesn’t bode well until you take a sip and are bombarded with tropical pineapple, soft vanilla, citrus oil, soft cream and a balanced amount of acid to keep it fresh and inviting. So much fun!
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2018 Cakebread Cellars Merlot
8/3/2022 - lvepicure Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow! Purchased at a local wine store. Took home, drank one glass and let rest open for an hour. Came back, nose of saddle leather, mocha, blackberry, slight raspberry confection, wet pencil lead. On the palate, gorgeous dark brambly fruit, subtle but effective tannins give gravitas, coffee, and a lift of acid to keep you coming back for more. As it opens, the nose evolves. Could smell it for a half hour. The palate remains dense dark chewy but not leadened. Really a great value even at $60. Could easily stand for another 3-5 years, possibly more. This is the quintessence of American Merlot.
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2018 Justin Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
4/24/2021 - lvepicure Likes this wine: 89 Points
A well made Cabernet prototypical of the Paso region. But, doesn't warrant the Reserve name or extra money. Drink like a slightly less concentrated regular Justin Cabernet. No real complexity or tannins to say, "Wow! This is so much better."
Nose of creme de cassis, mint, and dark black fruit. Not much in the way of structure or tertiary notes. Palate much the same, plush, fruity, heat from the 16% alcohol. After an hour the typical stewed cooked fruit element comes out, not very elegant. For the price, much better can be had. Not reserve in any way!
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