Quite drinkable and enjoyable at this point. Medium plus weight, smooth, mostly black, and some red fruits. Shows Paso Robles Cab notes, mild acidity, and not much tannin at the finish. An easy drinker that can be paired with salmon to various meats but not heavily smoked or grilled.
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For me this wine is one of my top choices for pairing with cheese appetizers and then beef dinner. It is fruit forward with cherry and blueberry and some caramel. A medium finish with understated tannins but full bodied nonetheless . Not much spice or lingering after tones as in a classic high end cab but just a very pleasant dinner wine that many guests will enjoy
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Brought this to Chao Shan Cuisine for a wine dinner with my regular wine mates. Theme of the evening: Wines from California.
Dark purple in colour, with rich ripe blackcurrants, black cherries, and a long lingering finish. On the palate there are some hints of black coffee, toast, vanilla and plums.
Good energy and finesse.
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Wine was a host gift for Christmas dinner. Varietal correct wine with a medium finish. Balanced fruit flavors. Nothing outstanding however fairly pleasant.
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Spiced cherry aroma, very big! Full-bodied, a little to the sweet side like a big cab from California should be.Went extremely well with steak, share this is my last bottle.
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This wine was excellent and definitely held up to our Longfellow, not quite as good as that, but definitely a solid wine that we would love to buy a case of. Great nose, great color, and Divine taste!
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87 Dec 2021 👃 perfume, ripe blueberries, sweet cherry pie filling, raspberry compote, can't stop sniffing this! 👅 Smooth, velvety, cherry, cassis, very strong oak barrel throughout but not overbearing. Maybe some added sugar? Anyway, this is pretty good. I would like some more acid but it is a decent value if you can find it for 30. Aroma totally blown off after 3-4 hours, nothing left. The palate dulls and gets plummy and kind of cardboard. Score lowered to reflect this. Drink fast.
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Really a pleasant surprise. Nose has red and black berries, coffee, hints of chocolate. Similar flavors with some oak influence and mild to medium tannins. My only gripe is that the finish is pretty short. Great QPR.
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Very pleasant surprise: nose was mocha and red currants but the flavor went ripe red current but with lots of loam and mineral mixed. Oak was well integrated. This tasted more mature than a 2017, but in a good way. Long and very smooth finish. No herb or vegetal edges in this, but still tasted like Cab, yet no 'warmth' or over ripe flavors that warm Paso can add sometimes.
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An interesting departure from typical Paso Robles fruit forward and sweet wines. Tangy refreshing red fruits with savory notions of smoke and new leather on the palate. Tannins are well integrated. Impressive mouthfeel at this price point. Peaking right now. Drink in 2021.
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This purple/dark-ruby gem opens with a nose of slightly smoky and spicy black fruits enhanced by fleeting floral notes. The palate echoes these aspects, while adding in vanilla, anise, chocolate, and tar. Smooth, soft tannins carry the ripe fruit and a hint of pepper along a smooth, long finish. Temptation to compare this unfavorably with the Justin Isosceles is unfounded: Isosceles is a Bordeaux blend, while this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon at roughly 1/3 the price. This is a tasty bargain that drinks well by itself or paired with burgers, steak, or portobello mushrooms. Should drink nicely for the next five years.
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A good Cab! It has a real silky and velvety feel which I really like. It starts a little thin but has a nice punch of dark berries. The middle is brings a little less berry but there is a little spice and acidity. It finishes light and the berries punch up another level.
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Color and nose powerful. This Paso wine is a bit warm, extraction and sugar and alch all there, but balancing. Its full frontal, but not so heavy. Picture a middle linebacker in a ballerina moment, hair, muscles, yet on the tip toes in perfect poise. Make it pink chiffon tutu since this has a touch of sweetness. oddly it feels like a killer bbq rib wine. Has that yummy factor
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Deep, dark reddish-purple in color, Full, fragrant & attractive nose of ripe fruits aromas of cherries, blueberries & cassis with earthy/dusty notes, spices, some cedar notes, herbs, minerals, toasty oak & a healthy dose of vanilla. Full bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth texture, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, boysenberries & plums with spices, some cocoa, minerals, toasted oak & creamy vanilla. Lingering smooth & polished finish. Drinks quite well at present & may benefit with additional aging. Very good QPR when found at discount.
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Surprisingly better than many of the older reviews. It was a gift I earmarked for cooking. My wife used half for short ribs and I tasted it. It was solid so I enjoyed it with the very good ribs! Anyway, decent depth, a bit sweet on first taste but it grew on me. The tannins are still a bit strong so I’d wait 2 years for those to soften. Good QPR.
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Dark purple-ruby core with lighter rim and moderately stained, pronounced tears forming on the glass. Aromatic with ripe black and red cherry, blackcurrant and berry fruit, baking spice and sweet tobacco with red and black licorice, oak, cocoa and subtle camphor notes. The palate is dry, nearly full bodied, with ripe black cherry, cassis and red fruit, baking spice and oak accents on entry with sustained ripe primary and mostly black fruit, dried autumn leaf, cocoa and a pleasant suggestion of camphor on the mid-palate into the finish. The finish is fresh and moderately long, showing lingering cherry and berry notes with oak and barrel spice nicely supported by fine, balanced tannins. The 2017 JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon is an extremely versatile food pairing wine that makes it a great go-to red for many pairings ranging from a picnic of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, a Philly cheese steak sandwich, to a classic Entrecôte (steak) Bordelaise with pommes frites. It’s a perfect wine to bring to a dinner or party for wine lovers.
Deep ruby color. The wine is Medium-to-Full bodied, smooth, and dry. Notes include dark fruits like stewed black plums, blackberries, black currants, dark cherries, as well as earth, oak, light spices, and dusty cocoa powder. Very easy to drink and reasonably priced.
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Smoke and berries on the nose. Vanilla and sweet berries on the palate. Smooth, very easy to drink. Simple yet consistent. Better than cabs at the same price range.
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Everytime I have this, I like it more. Plum nose, mocha mid palate. Solid mouthful. Smooth tannins and long legs that finishes in anise minerality that lingers.
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I haven't been a fan of Justin in a while, but I do like this vintage. Very tight upon opening but after giving it some time the fruit starts to come through. Nice dark fruit with a hint of vanilla. Tight tannins that aren't bad but give it some backbone. smooth finish that lingers for a few seconds. well done for mass produced. great for $20.00 for an everyday wine. will buy more.
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Decent qpr for a weeknight Cabernet. Excellent entry level stuff from Justin. Comes across as short-term age worthy - might be even better in a couple of years, but feel free to slug now with plenty of air.
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Solid stuff, received as a gift. I remember liking it in the past and this is the first time I've tried it in years. Really has that jammy Paso thing that I don't gravitate toward nowadays- but the price is still ok if you're into this sort of style at least around the $20 mark (I've seen it closer to $30- much better options exist around that price, including both other Paso wines and Cab Sauv in general.)
Not a complex nose but nicely pungent. Warm, jammy blackberry pie, currants, that's pretty much it on the nose, but although it's clearly made in a ripe style, it doesn't smell overly hot or cloying, just ripe.
Palate continues with the same jammy-ish purple fruit, minimal tannins, medium-low acidity, but just enough that it thankfully still has good energy, which helps to balance the ripeness.
Ok for chill drinking over a BBQ, and very easy to recommend to beginner wine drinkers who are making the move from sweet to dry. It's not very "cool" to like this as a wine geek, but I really appreciate a wine that doesn't try to be something it's not - this just leans into a very ripe/extracted feel without aiming for superficial, ineffective balance, and comes out delicious. I've had quite a few similarly-priced Cabernets that just HAVE to have more acidity/herbal tones at all costs, and they end up feeling wishy-washy, neither rich nor energetic. Still, even if you like this big style, there are so many others that do even more for me - Daou Pessimist, Mollydooker Boxer, Torbreck Woodcutter, Numanthia Termes...
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I found it flawless but monolithic and with limited depth or structure. But the core palate was solid Cab and soft at the same time. Black fruit is the dominant character, fine tannins, jammy, very nice.
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Ripe, soft, intense albeit single dimensional Youthful, ripe blackberries, cassis coulis, hints of raisin, violets, lavender and coconut finish. Lots of ripe tannins, smooth texture, high alcohol, heavy structure. Lacks depth but excellent weeknight wine. Unpretentious and delightful. 89-90
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We drank this during a virtual tasting event with the winemaker and basketball player Josh Hart, who chose the wines we tasted. We paired it with a cheese and salami platter, and found it went well with everything -- it's VERY food friendly. it paired the best with a Humboldt Fog goat cheese and with an aged gouda. We found it fruit forward -- currant, raisin, a hint of tobacco on the finish. I think it would also work well with lamb.
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No bouquet with simplistic sophisticated grape aroma of unknown fruit type etiology. How nice it would be to have a wine at a price point between this offering, in many ways an afterthought, and the Isosceles. Color of almost opaque red to the rim in the glass. Granted the wine just emerged from a 53 degree (F) cellar, but a stingey nose. The mouthfeel is confusing in that there is mildly tannic embraced blue/black fruit that is moderately extracted, yet somewhat unidimensional in on the palate. The mouthfeel is diluted to the level of a moderately extracted Dehlinger Pinot Noir, and not having the Cabernet Sauvignon flavor profile of a Paso Robles wine, but that of a very nice Washington State Columbia Crest Walter Clore 50/50 Cabernet/Merlot blend. Unidimensional cherry/grape flavors linger on the finish. This is a well crafted, politically correct “Cabernet Sauvignon” that tastes like a Merlot. Worth the sticker price? In the palate of the beholder. I won’t be buying this again. A simplistic wine like this, made by this producer, should be priced below $20.00. I do like the wine as it is very drinkable and pleasing, but I also recommend Washington State wines if you like this style. I guess I expect more from this very gifted producer. I welcome all recommended alternatives.
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Winemaker's Notes: Deep purple ruby core, slightly lighter at the rim showing slight staining on the glass. Aromatic with black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, attractive oak and complex cigar box notes with cocoa and a subtle purple floral note. Dry, moderate plus bodied, with ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and a touch of red fruit brightness on the entry. Balanced oak, vanilla spice and brioche notes mixed with classic savory cabernet varietal cues mingle on the mid-palate. The finish is moderately long and fresh with sustained rounded fruit and lingering baking spice balanced nicely by firm, smooth tannins.
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Plum and cassis play against light cedar and red apple peel in this medium bodied new world cab. Acidity and tannins are moderate, but there was an initial synthetic cedar soap/perfume note that seemed off.
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Nose is very pleasant with nice combo of fruit and wood. But not a distinctive cab;. Body is medium to heavy. Taste is smooth with a warm, satisfying finish.
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This wine is a dark purple color with a nose on the sweeter side, mostly dark fruits. On the palate its dense and jammy, a little too much so. The finish is a little sweeter than I normally prefer. I am a fan of Paso Robles cabernet in general and I enjoy wines of a similar style, however this was just too jammy and sweet on the finish for me to love. Drinkable but not my favorite style.
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I wanted to like this, but just couldn't. I am chalking it up to the vintage - I have had other vintages such as '15 & '13. This one is too jammy, unbalanced, and singular. The body structure was good and on the fuller side.
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Nice vanilla nose. Intense fruit, a bit overripe to my taste, like a lot of Paso wines. On the hot side. A sharp finish counters the fruit and makes it whole. This is not a bad wine - well made of the style - it is just not my favorite style.
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If I had to pick this wine out of a police line up, I'd have no problem. I'm an eye witness to the crime of predictability. This is clearly Paso and built to be approachable early. A repeat offender as one of my favorites to pick up on my way to a party. This Justin always returns to the scene of the crime. That is if the crime is being reasonably priced, ready to drink, pretty well balanced and not heady enough to outsmart the cops...
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An incredibly drinkable Paso Cab. Deep ruby in the glass, nose is restrained, palate dry and fruit driven, fruits are ripe and somewhat jammy, black currant, blackberry, plum, note of cacao, baking spice, tannins are soft, body is medium +, finish long, very nice everyday red.
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Nose shows jammy, sweet fruit (cherry pie, spiced raspberry and currant jam) along with sweet coffee and cinnamon. Plush and jammy on the palate with sweet red fruit laced with coffee, cocoa. Low acidity keeps me from getting too excited.
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Quite sweet and simple fruit dominates this. Ripe black currant and a touch of yeasty alcohol. The aging is apparently in small oak barrels and this adds a touch of vanilla. Verges on stewed fruit but just carries through a degree of freshness. Sweet and gentle in the mouth. Entirely “new world” and pleasantly drinkable albeit not complex. Poor value for what I paid in Manhattan but probably cheaper in bottle shops elsewhere.
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Nose is predominantly red raspberry. Young fruit. Toasty oak on the finish. Simple. While there is technically nothing wrong with this, it's hard for me to get excited about it, especially having had the Isosceles and Justification which are much better.
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Up the PCH; 6/4/2019-6/16/2019 (Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, Napa, and Willamette): For $25 I like this. Look, it won't be the most complex, elegant wine you'll ever taste, but I think it hit a sweet spot to me at that price and my expectations. I think there is definitely a step up in the Justification and Icocoleses wines, but don't drink this expecting liquid gold! Enjoy it as a mid week quaffer or at a party, and it will be a hit. Me personally, I can't drink $100+ bottles every day so this was a nice wine.
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4/11/2024 - Kentw Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite drinkable and enjoyable at this point. Medium plus weight, smooth, mostly black, and some red fruits. Shows Paso Robles Cab notes, mild acidity, and not much tannin at the finish. An easy drinker that can be paired with salmon to various meats but not heavily smoked or grilled.
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4/6/2024 - JNebs wrote: 86 Points
Just after opening: barnyard and leather nose. BlackBerry and tart cherry followed by leather and horse sweat. Balanced acidity and very fine tannins.
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3/28/2024 - Chromedog wrote: 90 Points
Drinking pretty good now, however, should be even better in one or two years.
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3/19/2024 - Redfisher Likes this wine: 91 Points
For me this wine is one of my top choices for pairing with cheese appetizers and then beef dinner. It is fruit forward with cherry and blueberry and some caramel. A medium finish with understated tannins but full bodied nonetheless . Not much spice or lingering after tones as in a classic high end cab but just a very pleasant dinner wine that many guests will enjoy
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2/18/2024 - timbobwhite Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted for sediment. Soft, resolved with clean nose and nice flavors. I usually don't let these go so long, but drinking well now.
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9/17/2023 - Wstinson9 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very solid, if basic, Cab. Flavorful and smooth drinking. Pairs very well with a grilled steak.
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7/16/2023 - West Chester Wine Likes this wine: 85 Points
Solid bottle. Nothing special but has pleasant dry flavor.
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7/5/2023 - West Chester Wine Likes this wine: 85 Points
Good basic cab. Pleasant flavor. Nothing special but a good drinker.
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6/13/2023 - KeithSorem wrote: 91 Points
Lomg legs, deep dark grape noe,lomg finish, decated one hour, long finish apricot
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5/19/2023 - West Chester Wine Likes this wine: 86 Points
Solid if unspectacular bottle. Decent flavor. Dry. Smooth enough, not harsh. Probably could let age a couple more years and be ok.
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3/30/2023 - stayhappy21 wrote: 88 Points
Brought this to Chao Shan Cuisine for a wine dinner with my regular wine mates. Theme of the evening: Wines from California.
Dark purple in colour, with rich ripe blackcurrants, black cherries, and a long lingering finish. On the palate there are some hints of black coffee, toast, vanilla and plums.
Good energy and finesse.
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1/21/2023 - West Chester Wine Likes this wine: 85 Points
Good, not great. Pleasant fruit flavor. Dry. Just seemed to lack any depth of complexity.
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12/29/2022 - Tiderunner22 wrote: 85 Points
Wine was a host gift for Christmas dinner. Varietal correct wine with a medium finish. Balanced fruit flavors. Nothing outstanding however fairly pleasant.
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11/21/2022 - Stampeder wrote: 87 Points
This is the bottom line Cab from Justin. As I have felt with other vintages, it is uninspired and average.
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5/4/2022 - DbertCellar wrote: 91 Points
Spiced cherry aroma, very big! Full-bodied, a little to the sweet side like a big cab from California should be.Went extremely well with steak, share this is my last bottle.
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3/25/2022 - yuhyma@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid Cab from a great place on earth. Good price and great taste
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2/28/2022 - PaulWilson00 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Tasted different this time. Always been a favorite, but this particular bottke lacked direction. Maybe it was the vintage? Will try again.
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2/13/2022 - dbkitc wrote: 84 Points
(at Tark’s - Baltimore) Not my kind of wine at all. Manipulated, oak steeped, superficial. Otherwise, no flaws. (84)
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2/10/2022 - DbertCellar wrote: 90 Points
Nice cherry aroma. Spice nice balance . Next one in 2024
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1/28/2022 - plrogers11 wrote:
This wine was excellent and definitely held up to our Longfellow, not quite as good as that, but definitely a solid wine that we would love to buy a case of. Great nose, great color, and Divine taste!
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12/29/2021 - YackAttack213 wrote: 87 Points
87 Dec 2021 👃 perfume, ripe blueberries, sweet cherry pie filling, raspberry compote, can't stop sniffing this! 👅 Smooth, velvety, cherry, cassis, very strong oak barrel throughout but not overbearing. Maybe some added sugar? Anyway, this is pretty good. I would like some more acid but it is a decent value if you can find it for 30. Aroma totally blown off after 3-4 hours, nothing left. The palate dulls and gets plummy and kind of cardboard. Score lowered to reflect this. Drink fast.
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12/4/2021 - Rbettenh Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smooth
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10/29/2021 - Jake112380 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really a pleasant surprise. Nose has red and black berries, coffee, hints of chocolate. Similar flavors with some oak influence and mild to medium tannins. My only gripe is that the finish is pretty short. Great QPR.
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9/4/2021 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pleasant surprise: nose was mocha and red currants but the flavor went ripe red current but with lots of loam and mineral mixed. Oak was well integrated. This tasted more mature than a 2017, but in a good way. Long and very smooth finish. No herb or vegetal edges in this, but still tasted like Cab, yet no 'warmth' or over ripe flavors that warm Paso can add sometimes.
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8/12/2021 - bjwca wrote: 85 Points
Very new style, super sweet fruit forward wine. Too sweet for me.
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7/31/2021 - SDzinner wrote:
Bom mas ainda tá melhorando.
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5/29/2021 - Xer90 Likes this wine: 91 Points
An interesting departure from typical Paso Robles fruit forward and sweet wines. Tangy refreshing red fruits with savory notions of smoke and new leather on the palate. Tannins are well integrated. Impressive mouthfeel at this price point. Peaking right now. Drink in 2021.
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4/16/2021 - WillRepstad wrote:
drank with greg
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3/22/2021 - JaxWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
This purple/dark-ruby gem opens with a nose of slightly smoky and spicy black fruits enhanced by fleeting floral notes. The palate echoes these aspects, while adding in vanilla, anise, chocolate, and tar. Smooth, soft tannins carry the ripe fruit and a hint of pepper along a smooth, long finish. Temptation to compare this unfavorably with the Justin Isosceles is unfounded: Isosceles is a Bordeaux blend, while this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon at roughly 1/3 the price. This is a tasty bargain that drinks well by itself or paired with burgers, steak, or portobello mushrooms. Should drink nicely for the next five years.
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3/5/2021 - Catherine Redwine wrote:
Very smooth
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2/19/2021 - jermsd Likes this wine:
Still good, but seems just past the peak, so need to drink the rest soon.
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1/22/2021 - Big Don Likes this wine: 90 Points
Full bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth texture, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, boysenberries & plums
DJ favorite
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1/20/2021 - sailincarib wrote: 82 Points
Not bad, a little strong, much better choices for the price
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12/23/2020 - DisneyD2 wrote:
Present from Nickjoos
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11/28/2020 - lbrooks Likes this wine: 86 Points
A good Cab! It has a real silky and velvety feel which I really like. It starts a little thin but has a nice punch of dark berries. The middle is brings a little less berry but there is a little spice and acidity. It finishes light and the berries punch up another level.
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11/19/2020 - tplskylrk wrote:
Color and nose powerful. This Paso wine is a bit warm, extraction and sugar and alch all there, but balancing. Its full frontal, but not so heavy.
Picture a middle linebacker in a ballerina moment, hair, muscles, yet on the tip toes in perfect poise.
Make it pink chiffon tutu since this has a touch of sweetness. oddly it feels like a killer bbq rib wine.
Has that yummy factor
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11/14/2020 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep, dark reddish-purple in color, Full, fragrant & attractive nose of ripe fruits aromas of cherries, blueberries & cassis with earthy/dusty notes, spices, some cedar notes, herbs, minerals, toasty oak & a healthy dose of vanilla. Full bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth texture, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, boysenberries & plums with spices, some cocoa, minerals, toasted oak & creamy vanilla. Lingering smooth & polished finish. Drinks quite well at present & may benefit with additional aging. Very good QPR when found at discount.
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11/7/2020 - rsct2001 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Delicious
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11/6/2020 - Brothers in Quarantine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great value wine.
Toasty vanilla with good ripe fruit, and balanced tannins.
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11/2/2020 - jermsd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very solid and predictable. Light-medium body, dark fruit, few tannins, medium-dry finish. My new go-to home dinner wine!
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10/13/2020 - Artbreadman wrote: 91 Points
Surprisingly better than many of the older reviews. It was a gift I earmarked for cooking. My wife used half for short ribs and I tasted it. It was solid so I enjoyed it with the very good ribs! Anyway, decent depth, a bit sweet on first taste but it grew on me. The tannins are still a bit strong so I’d wait 2 years for those to soften. Good QPR.
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10/9/2020 - Sayban wrote:
Dark purple-ruby core with lighter rim and moderately stained, pronounced tears forming on the glass. Aromatic with ripe black and red cherry, blackcurrant and berry fruit, baking spice and sweet tobacco with red and black licorice, oak, cocoa and subtle camphor notes. The palate is dry, nearly full bodied, with ripe black cherry, cassis and red fruit, baking spice and oak accents on entry with sustained ripe primary and mostly black fruit, dried autumn leaf, cocoa and a pleasant suggestion of camphor on the mid-palate into the finish. The finish is fresh and moderately long, showing lingering cherry and berry notes with oak and barrel spice nicely supported by fine, balanced tannins.
The 2017 JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon is an extremely versatile food pairing wine that makes it a great go-to red for many pairings ranging from a picnic of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, a Philly cheese steak sandwich, to a classic Entrecôte (steak) Bordelaise with pommes frites. It’s a perfect wine to bring to a dinner or party for wine lovers.
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9/24/2020 - mats13 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not going to find much better for <$20.
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9/20/2020 - wilsonteo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruity with vanilla notes that lingers on the tongue.
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9/16/2020 - Salute Likes this wine: 88 Points
Better than last bottle. Better on day two.
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9/13/2020 - Stephen.Somm Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep ruby color. The wine is Medium-to-Full bodied, smooth, and dry. Notes include dark fruits like stewed black plums, blackberries, black currants, dark cherries, as well as earth, oak, light spices, and dusty cocoa powder. Very easy to drink and reasonably priced.
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9/10/2020 - tmiusa Likes this wine: 90 Points
Don't think about it, Justin-gest :)
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8/25/2020 - matiasox@gmail.com Likes this wine: 87 Points
Smoke and berries on the nose. Vanilla and sweet berries on the palate. Smooth, very easy to drink. Simple yet consistent. Better than cabs at the same price range.
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8/13/2020 - redrules wrote: 91 Points
Everytime I have this, I like it more. Plum nose, mocha mid palate. Solid mouthful. Smooth tannins and long legs that finishes in anise minerality that lingers.
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8/2/2020 - tmiusa wrote: 90 Points
I try to not like it, I try to write it off as Two Buck Chuck but it’s just so dang good !
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7/30/2020 - BHwine wrote: 89 Points
I haven't been a fan of Justin in a while, but I do like this vintage.
Very tight upon opening but after giving it some time the fruit starts to come through. Nice dark fruit with a hint of vanilla.
Tight tannins that aren't bad but give it some backbone.
smooth finish that lingers for a few seconds.
well done for mass produced. great for $20.00 for an everyday wine.
will buy more.
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7/18/2020 - mats13 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decent qpr for a weeknight Cabernet. Excellent entry level stuff from Justin. Comes across as short-term age worthy - might be even better in a couple of years, but feel free to slug now with plenty of air.
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7/13/2020 - Dagman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great QPR - nice balance of fruit and acidity. Had both with and without food. Smooth all around.
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7/11/2020 - tmiusa Likes this wine: 90 Points
Purple fruit, raspberry twisler, jammy.
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7/11/2020 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid stuff, received as a gift. I remember liking it in the past and this is the first time I've tried it in years. Really has that jammy Paso thing that I don't gravitate toward nowadays- but the price is still ok if you're into this sort of style at least around the $20 mark (I've seen it closer to $30- much better options exist around that price, including both other Paso wines and Cab Sauv in general.)
Not a complex nose but nicely pungent. Warm, jammy blackberry pie, currants, that's pretty much it on the nose, but although it's clearly made in a ripe style, it doesn't smell overly hot or cloying, just ripe.
Palate continues with the same jammy-ish purple fruit, minimal tannins, medium-low acidity, but just enough that it thankfully still has good energy, which helps to balance the ripeness.
Ok for chill drinking over a BBQ, and very easy to recommend to beginner wine drinkers who are making the move from sweet to dry. It's not very "cool" to like this as a wine geek, but I really appreciate a wine that doesn't try to be something it's not - this just leans into a very ripe/extracted feel without aiming for superficial, ineffective balance, and comes out delicious. I've had quite a few similarly-priced Cabernets that just HAVE to have more acidity/herbal tones at all costs, and they end up feeling wishy-washy, neither rich nor energetic. Still, even if you like this big style, there are so many others that do even more for me - Daou Pessimist, Mollydooker Boxer, Torbreck Woodcutter, Numanthia Termes...
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7/3/2020 - tmiusa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really good! A crow-pleaser. But don’t serve it too warm, it will taste out of balance toward the sweet.
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7/2/2020 - Rico.Bertucci wrote:
Would buy again!
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6/26/2020 - tmiusa Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nondescript, full and fruity red wine. If only all wine could taste this good at this price ($21). Be careful you’ll drink it too fast!
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6/24/2020 - RLVas wrote:
Yummy. Nice fruit flavors (not overripe or jammy). Good body, smooth, well balanced. Very easy to enjoy and continue drinking.
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6/20/2020 - mstearnsa Likes this wine: 89 Points
N-black fruit, jammy
T- a big punch of jammy rich fruit, with little complexity or lingering flavor
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6/20/2020 - Goalie31 Likes this wine:
Danny good
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6/13/2020 - Winenot2020? wrote:
very yummy and smooth
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6/8/2020 - Renzloh Likes this wine: 88 Points
Soft on the palate, not very complex.
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6/1/2020 - marcellevi Likes this wine: 89 Points
I found it flawless but monolithic and with limited depth or structure. But the core palate was solid Cab and soft at the same time. Black fruit is the dominant character, fine tannins, jammy, very nice.
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5/25/2020 - Monsieur Grenache Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ripe, soft, intense albeit single dimensional
Youthful, ripe blackberries, cassis coulis, hints of raisin, violets, lavender and coconut finish. Lots of ripe tannins, smooth texture, high alcohol, heavy structure. Lacks depth but excellent weeknight wine. Unpretentious and delightful. 89-90
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5/22/2020 - Dolores.Ferrero Likes this wine: 89 Points
We drank this during a virtual tasting event with the winemaker and basketball player Josh Hart, who chose the wines we tasted. We paired it with a cheese and salami platter, and found it went well with everything -- it's VERY food friendly. it paired the best with a Humboldt Fog goat cheese and with an aged gouda. We found it fruit forward -- currant, raisin, a hint of tobacco on the finish. I think it would also work well with lamb.
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5/9/2020 - jermsd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Really good, but won't last long. Maybe 1-2 more years at most.
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5/7/2020 - Josch48 Likes this wine: 88 Points
No bouquet with simplistic sophisticated grape aroma of unknown fruit type etiology. How nice it would be to have a wine at a price point between this offering, in many ways an afterthought, and the Isosceles. Color of almost opaque red to the rim in the glass. Granted the wine just emerged from a 53 degree (F) cellar, but a stingey nose.
The mouthfeel is confusing in that there is mildly tannic embraced blue/black fruit that is moderately extracted, yet somewhat unidimensional in on the palate. The mouthfeel is diluted to the level of a moderately extracted Dehlinger Pinot Noir, and not having the Cabernet Sauvignon flavor profile of a Paso Robles wine, but that of a very nice Washington State Columbia Crest Walter Clore 50/50 Cabernet/Merlot blend.
Unidimensional cherry/grape flavors linger on the finish.
This is a well crafted, politically correct “Cabernet Sauvignon” that tastes like a Merlot. Worth the sticker price? In the palate of the beholder. I won’t be buying this again. A simplistic wine like this, made by this producer, should be priced below $20.00. I do like the wine as it is very drinkable and pleasing, but I also recommend Washington State wines if you like this style. I guess I expect more from this very gifted producer. I welcome all recommended alternatives.
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5/3/2020 - jermsd Likes this wine:
Winemaker's Notes: Deep purple ruby core, slightly lighter at the rim showing slight staining on the glass. Aromatic with black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, attractive oak and complex cigar box notes with cocoa and a subtle purple floral note. Dry, moderate plus bodied, with ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and a touch of red fruit brightness on the entry. Balanced oak, vanilla spice and brioche notes mixed with classic savory cabernet varietal cues mingle on the mid-palate. The finish is moderately long and fresh with sustained rounded fruit and lingering baking spice balanced nicely by firm, smooth tannins.
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4/25/2020 - dgrandlic Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice drinking, reasonably priced
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4/24/2020 - Richard123 wrote: 86 Points
A bit disappointing vs other vintages, maybe a weaker year.
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4/19/2020 - poppacork wrote: 89 Points
Plum and cassis play against light cedar and red apple peel in this medium bodied new world cab. Acidity and tannins are moderate, but there was an initial synthetic cedar soap/perfume note that seemed off.
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4/10/2020 - stbraunt Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Nothing to write home about. Really sweet, no finish... disappointing and definitely overpriced.
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4/5/2020 - Oberhau wrote: 89 Points
Nose is very pleasant with nice combo of fruit and wood. But not a distinctive cab;. Body is medium to heavy. Taste is smooth with a warm, satisfying finish.
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3/25/2020 - JustBert wrote: 90 Points
Perfect daily. Easy to drink as long as I don't drink bigger wine alongside
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3/25/2020 - JustBert wrote: 90 Points
Love this wine as a daily from the California region.
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3/23/2020 - Steveng56 Likes this wine:
Nice burger wine.
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3/21/2020 - Salute wrote: 85 Points
hmm. We normally like Justin cabs...but this was so...mediocre. Like an $11 grocery store wine
Not bad, not terrible, but NOT what we were expecting from Justin.
Have two more. Will check back later
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3/2/2020 - RollTideRoll15 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth, nice flavor, deep plum maybe, dessert like but goes with anything
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2/19/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Ripe purple fruit to the nose. 100% American oak. And sweetly fruit but with nice richness.
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2/19/2020 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium-bodied, bright and juicy fruits with earth notes and a subtle cocoa flavor on the finish. Great value.
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2/16/2020 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 89 Points
Consistent with previous notes
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2/5/2020 - Baron Slick wrote: 90 Points
Such a solid wine. Cassis, fancy oak, and tamarind aromas. Full bodied, dark red fruit flavors, and ample structure. A hit, year in and year out.
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2/4/2020 - Bgropp4 wrote: 85 Points
This wine is a dark purple color with a nose on the sweeter side, mostly dark fruits. On the palate its dense and jammy, a little too much so. The finish is a little sweeter than I normally prefer. I am a fan of Paso Robles cabernet in general and I enjoy wines of a similar style, however this was just too jammy and sweet on the finish for me to love. Drinkable but not my favorite style.
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2/1/2020 - curiouswino42 wrote: 83 Points
I wanted to like this, but just couldn't. I am chalking it up to the vintage - I have had other vintages such as '15 & '13. This one is too jammy, unbalanced, and singular. The body structure was good and on the fuller side.
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1/31/2020 - Vasily Likes this wine: 89 Points
more fruity than I normally like but was still a good wine for the price.
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1/24/2020 - Doblk wrote: 88 Points
Nice vanilla nose. Intense fruit, a bit overripe to my taste, like a lot of Paso wines. On the hot side. A sharp finish counters the fruit and makes it whole. This is not a bad wine - well made of the style - it is just not my favorite style.
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1/23/2020 - WineKnut Likes this wine: 88 Points
If I had to pick this wine out of a police line up, I'd have no problem. I'm an eye witness to the crime of predictability. This is clearly Paso and built to be approachable early. A repeat offender as one of my favorites to pick up on my way to a party. This Justin always returns to the scene of the crime. That is if the crime is being reasonably priced, ready to drink, pretty well balanced and not heady enough to outsmart the cops...
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1/16/2020 - Gigi’s Cellar wrote:
No repeat
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12/31/2019 - Mr Brian Bell Likes this wine:
Good
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12/28/2019 - Bordeaux Lady Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Too jammy & unbalanced. Had at Edgewood country club in Tahoe with elk.
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12/22/2019 - Kresolution wrote: 90 Points
Big while still bringing some subtlety. Dark fruit. Jam. Vanilla spice. Medium body. Dark chocolate finish.
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12/16/2019 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 89 Points
An incredibly drinkable Paso Cab. Deep ruby in the glass, nose is restrained, palate dry and fruit driven, fruits are ripe and somewhat jammy, black currant, blackberry, plum, note of cacao, baking spice, tannins are soft, body is medium +, finish long, very nice everyday red.
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11/29/2019 - sancat Likes this wine: 84 Points
Good California Cab, although not amazing.
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10/18/2019 - ddemetri Likes this wine: 86 Points
Smooth. Balanced. A bit plain. No tannins or finish.
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9/15/2019 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 86 Points
Nose shows jammy, sweet fruit (cherry pie, spiced raspberry and currant jam) along with sweet coffee and cinnamon. Plush and jammy on the palate with sweet red fruit laced with coffee, cocoa. Low acidity keeps me from getting too excited.
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9/9/2019 - sjw_11 wrote: 87 Points
Quite sweet and simple fruit dominates this. Ripe black currant and a touch of yeasty alcohol. The aging is apparently in small oak barrels and this adds a touch of vanilla. Verges on stewed fruit but just carries through a degree of freshness. Sweet and gentle in the mouth. Entirely “new world” and pleasantly drinkable albeit not complex. Poor value for what I paid in Manhattan but probably cheaper in bottle shops elsewhere.
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8/2/2019 - sean7711 wrote: 90 Points
Blind tasting Cab & Cab blends around the world
Served 4 of 9
My Rank 3 of 9
Overall Rank 4 of 9
Tart, little bit of tannic bite, noted more complexity than the other wines I had tasted at the time.
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7/21/2019 - Doc90 wrote: 85 Points
Nose is predominantly red raspberry. Young fruit. Toasty oak on the finish. Simple. While there is technically nothing wrong with this, it's hard for me to get excited about it, especially having had the Isosceles and Justification which are much better.
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6/6/2019 - sean7711 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Up the PCH; 6/4/2019-6/16/2019 (Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, Napa, and Willamette): For $25 I like this. Look, it won't be the most complex, elegant wine you'll ever taste, but I think it hit a sweet spot to me at that price and my expectations. I think there is definitely a step up in the Justification and Icocoleses wines, but don't drink this expecting liquid gold! Enjoy it as a mid week quaffer or at a party, and it will be a hit. Me personally, I can't drink $100+ bottles every day so this was a nice wine.
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