2016 Justin Justification Paso Robles

Varietal Composition: 57% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Franc

Appearance: Dark ruby purple core with blue/black secondary hue, a medium rim with thick

tears showing slight staining on the glass.

Aroma: Aromatic and complex with ripe red cherry, black currant and a little berry with vanilla,

cinnamon and licorice spice, cedar and graphite notes, oak, leather, dried autumn leaves and a

minty hint of camphor.

Palate: Moderate-plus to full-bodied, dry, with ripe cherry and cassis mixed with baking

spice on entry joined by cedar and oak on the mid-palate with complex savory, herbal

elements. The finish is long, balanced and clean, with returning red and black fruit and

perfectly proportioned, fine, mouth-filling tannins. The 2016 JUSTIFICATION is elegant with a

perfect balance of fruit, savory and textural elements making is a versatile food pairing wine.

To prove this, try it with a wide range of dishes from Rotissierie Chicken, or Duck Confit, to

Entrecote Bordelaise et pomme frites, a classic regional dish from Bordeaux of pan seared

steak with a red wine shallot and thyme pan sauce served with crispy fries.

The 2016 vintage started with a warm winter, with near normal precipitation levels. The rain

was helpful to replenish the underlying soils a bit for the coming vintage, but not enough to

break a five-year drought. The spring was warm, causing an early bud break followed by a

cooling period that prolonged the flowering season without negatively affecting pollination,

spreading out the season a bit. June and July were warm with veraison only slightly earlier than

normal but lasting a bit longer due to the variable flowering times seen in the spring. August

stayed warm through early September when things cooled a bit, allowing the remaining fruit to

continue to develop maturity through September and October, nicely balancing ripeness and

maturity in our cabernet franc and merlot parcels.

Fermentation: Stainless steel open and closed top tanks with UV43 yeast, twice daily pump

overs

Maturation: Barrel aged for 20 months in 100% French oak (45% new)

Tasting Notes by Jim Gerakaris, CWE - JUSTIN Winery Sommelier