Isosceles Reserve (2012)

About this wine

The 2012 Isosceles Reserve from Justin Vineyards & Winery is a full-bodied red blend that showcases the best of Paso Robles' terroir. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe black cherry and blackcurrant, intertwined with hints of sweet tobacco, cocoa, coffee, cedar, and subtle mint. The palate is rich and layered, featuring concentrated flavors of black cherry, cassis, and boysenberry jam, complemented by toasted vanilla, cinnamon, and licorice spice. As the wine evolves, classic Cabernet savory notes emerge, including dark chocolate, coffee, and minty accents. The finish is exceptionally long and balanced, with fine tannins framing the wine's flavorful core. This blend, composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc, reflects the winery's commitment to crafting Bordeaux-style wines in California.

About the grape

In the early 1980s, Justin Baldwin planted 72 acres of Bordeaux varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, in Paso Robles, California. His goal was to create wines reminiscent of those from Bordeaux, France. The region's warm days, cool nights, and diverse soils provided an ideal environment for these grapes. In 1987, Baldwin released the first vintage of ISOSCELES, a blend of these three varietals, which gained significant acclaim and helped put Paso Robles on the global wine map.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 2012 Isosceles Reserve from Justin Vineyards & Winery is a Bordeaux-style blend, primarily composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot.
• 🛢️ This wine underwent 24 months of barrel aging in 100% new French oak, contributing to its complexity and depth.
• 🏆 The 2012 vintage received a 95-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, highlighting its exceptional quality.
• 🏞️ Justin Vineyards & Winery, established in 1981, is renowned for producing Bordeaux-style blends in Paso Robles, California.
• 🍒 The Isosceles Reserve is known for its rich flavors of black cherry, black currant, and boysenberry, complemented by notes of vanilla, cinnamon spice, and sweet tobacco.

Palate profile

Producer

Founded in 1981 by Justin Baldwin, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is renowned for producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends in Paso Robles, California. The winery combines traditional Old World methods, such as hand-harvesting and small-barrel aging in French oak, with innovative New World technology, including the 'Air Knife' process developed by their winemakers to enhance grape quality and efficiency. In 2015, Wine Enthusiast Magazine honored JUSTIN as the American Winery of the Year, recognizing its significant contributions to the wine industry. Further expanding its portfolio, JUSTIN acquired Napa Valley's Lewis Cellars in 2021, marking its entry into the prestigious Napa wine region.