2022 Justin - Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles (750ml)

Justin Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1981 by Justin Baldwin, widely regarded as a pioneer of Paso Robles winemaking at a time when Bordeaux varieties were still a rarity in the region's arid hills. Baldwin's early flagship, Isosceles, delivered eye opening scores and commercial success that proved Cabernet based wines could thrive on the Central Coast just as well as in Napa or Sonoma, paving the way for the wave of producers that followed. Today winemaker Scott Shirley carries that legacy forward, and the estate has grown into one of the region's most recognized names, complete with a tasting room, luxury accommodations at the Just Inn, and a Michelin starred restaurant on site.

This bottling draws on estate grown fruit from the heart of Paso Robles, where warm days and cool nights give Cabernet Sauvignon the balance of ripeness and structure the region has become known for. Grapes are hand picked and sorted berry by berry to ensure consistent quality before fermentation. The wine then spends fourteen months aging in traditional small oak barrels, a process designed to build depth and complexity while letting the distinct character of Paso Robles fruit remain the focus rather than the oak itself.

The 2022 opens with juicy red raspberry and black cherry, layered with vanilla, soft herbs, and warming spice. The palate is dry and moderately full bodied, with velvety tannins framing notes of caramel, toasted coconut, and fennel through a long, savory finish touched by pepper. It pairs beautifully with grilled burgers, roast chicken, or a classic filet mignon.