After polishing off a bottle of Rockpile Zinfandel during the aforementioned friendly gathering, I plucked my bottle of Justin 2004 Savant from the cellar as the finishing touch to the evening.
Justin 2004 Savant
Country of Origin: USA-Calfornia
Appellation: Paso Robles
Cost: Around $40 (I bought it as part of the Justin Wine Club)
Stats: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah from 2 west side vineyards. The syrah was fermented in new American Oak barrels. The wine was aged in 38% new oak, 23% new American, and 15% new French barrels.
Appearance: Deep, deep purple with some lovely "legs"
Aroma: Black fruits, vanilla, toasted oak.
Taste: A complex and well-integrated wine. A balance of fruit and tannin on the tongue with good body and hints of black pepper. A long and lingering aftertaste of fruit and oak.
An excellent end to the evening. For those counting, this wine received a rating of 90 pts from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate.
Salute,
a Wine Student
