2021 Justin Justification – A Perfect and Winning Blend of Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Justin Winery was the Professional Judges winner at the 5th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition in the “Blend Division”. The Blend Division was for wines comprised of 50% minimum Cabernet Franc but less than 75%. They were up against a strong field of contenders. Additionally their Cabernet Franc in the Blend Division received a Double Gold Medal & Best of Category from the Professional Judge’s and a Silver Medal from the People’s Choice Judges.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Photo from Justin Winery website
The winery started first with a philosophy of taking the best of the Old World meeting with the New World with an imaginative blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The goal of bringing about the Right Bank wonders of these two grapes and making an outlandish wine was the cornerstone of their existence. Herbs, red fruit with structure and elegance came together in their Justification blend.
Photo from Justin Winery website
Justin Baldwin, owner and founder of Justin Vineyards and Winery summed up the goal very neatly with the statement “We believe the wine should be exceptional from every angle. I personally invite you to discover our award-winning tradition that starts with our limestone-rich soil in Paso Robles and ends when the last glass is poured”.
The winery was founded in 1961 when they (Justin & Deborah Baldwin) purchased their 160 acre estate in the Adelaide Hills. It is located 15 miles west of Paso Robles.
Photo from Justin Winery website
Their talented wine maker is Scott Shirley who came to Justin in 2012. He is a graduate of UC Davis and worked at Opus One after college. His Justification blend in 2017 was named top wine in the world in 2017 and has received 94 points from Wine Spectator for the 2014 vintage.
While experiencing their Isosceles and Justification wines, they produce many others. The reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, various red blends, Pinot Noir (Russian River), Malbec, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah. Their white wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (both from the Central Coast & Sonoma County) and Viognier. Looking forward to tasting several of these wines in the near future.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Obviously from reading Justin’s goal along with wine maker Scott’s background, it is no wonder why the Justification blend won Best of Show and Double Gold at the 5th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition!
An absolutely delicious wine. First on the eyes, a deep foreboding maroon with purple edges. The wine possessed a medium to medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, ripe raspberries waft into the senses beckoning the first sip. Once on the palate, this wine lives up to its pedigree with bursting flavors of blackberry coupled with the raspberries dancing merrily in the mouth. Secondary flavors of mocha, with a tinge of vanilla and cinnamon. Additionally it was noted that the wine provided a modicum of lovely soft oak aging. Also well form tannins, uniquely both silky and angular, were present. The finish was extremely long and once concluded, disappointment settled in quickly. Fortunately another sip was within arm’s reach!
The wine goes for $52/bottle and was aged 17 months in 100% French oak barrels with 60% being new. The wine is 15% alcohol.
This wine upon just the first sip will make my annual Best Wines Tasted for 2024. The list comes out each December. While tasting between 1600 to 1800 wines annually, this list is limited to about 2-4% when tallied up.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine was paired this evening with a flank steak pinwheel of spinach and Roquefort cheese. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and keeping the spinach theme, a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing with onions and blue cheese. The salad ingredients included peppered bacon, red onion slices, sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, bacon grease, red wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard and a dash of salt.
The meal was heavenly with the combination of the wine, meat, salad and dressing!
Sláinte,
Michael