He helped Baldwin hire Jeff Branco in 1998 (currently winemaker at Paso’s historic Rotta Winery) who replaced him as winemaker when Glossner moved to Adelaida Cellars.ĭuring the reception we tasted a vertical of Isosceles from the winery library. The first winemaker I met was Steve Glossner (owner of Roxo Port Cellars) who made that aforementioned 1994 Isosceles. Baldwin hired some talented winemakers who helped him bring Justin Vineyards deserved respect. Sadly, I was the winemaker for a number of years,” he confessed to our amusement.Īs the region began to develop, he explained, the wineries attracted more educated interns who were passionate about wine and wanted to work some place new. “I had read enough to get started from reading Hugh Johnson’s The World Atlas of Wine, but I had a disproportionate amount of merlot. It’s great to be a part of the history of modern winemaking in Paso.”ĭescribing the region as “Randy Dunn (a Napa Valley legend for his cabernet sauvignons) country,” Baldwin admitted he didn’t know much when he started planting his first grapevines in 19. We knew Paso was for real, and we had the pioneering spirit. “There were just a few of us in Paso Robles at the time, Ken Volk, Gary Eberle, and a few other hearty souls. “I came here in 1981 looking for soil, lack of water, and elevation, which are still the most appealing characteristics of Paso Robles,” said Baldwin connecting the old with the new. I loved the trip looking back at Justin’s history, much of which I experienced from 1996 on. A nostalgic Baldwin talked about his love of fine wine and what drew him to Paso Robles. Hosted by Justin Baldwin, a Master Sommelier (MS), two Bay Area wine writers, and Justin’s new winemaker, we tasted through six older vintages that proved the Isosceles ages beautifully. I recently attended a dinner in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Isosceles at the renovated Justin estate. It was the beginning of many little pieces that began adding up to making our North County wine growing region considered one of the finest, not only in California, but in the world. I’d describe it as a shot heard round the world when the tiny appellation of Paso Robles took the top trophy. And that was the first time an American winery received such noteworthy recognition. Justin’s wine was tasted among similar blends from 35 other countries that were competing. It was 1997 when the judging panel included 27 Masters of Wine.įounder and proprietor Justin Baldwin couldn’t have been more proud, deservedly so. No local wine lover, however, will ever forget the year that Justin Vineyard’s 1994 Isosceles won the Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande trophy for “best blended red wine worldwide” in London. In the early years, the wine community was made up of fewer than a dozen wineries. I’m among the many long-time wine aficionados who has appreciated Paso Robles wines for well over two decades. MIX IT UP: Justin Winemaker Scott Shirley is passionate about cabernet sauvignon blends.Varietals are planted to specific soil types on their hillside vineyards 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, on the Central Coast. Justin Winery concentrates on two Bordeaux styled red wines: Isoscleles, which is a 100% estate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and Justification, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Then, in 1987, they harvested their first grapes bottled under the Justin label. Initially they were wine growers, selling to other wineries. Justin and Deborah Baldwin acquired their land in 1981 and planted 72 acres in vineyards that same year. The mid-palate features sustained fruit with sweet tobacco, leather, vanilla and licorice, and mouth coating tannins that balance its full fruit character through a very long, fresh and beautifully balanced finish that evolves with a complex mix of fruit, spice and savory elements. Full bodied, with ripe black fruit of cherry, currant and berry with baking spice on entry. Complex and very aromatic with black cherry, cassis, toasty vanilla, cinnamon, cedar, graphite, oak, dusty leaf notes, star anise and red licorice. Dark, ruby/purple core with a medium intensity rim and moderately stained tears.

Justin isosceles 2015