1998 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

[RAD]

I'm a big fan of Justin's offerings, but the 1998 just doesn't match up to the 1997--nowhere near the extraction, color, nose, and mouthfeel. Nothing disagreeable per se, but nothing to write home about, either. Clear ruby color; a bit watery around the edges. Light to medium bodied. Berries on the nose and palate, with just a whiff of tobacco. Whispery, feather-light tannins. Delicate, yet not fully elegant; closer to a pinot noir than a robust cabernet.

(Don't mean to imply by the above that a pinot can't be both delicate and elegant). [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

About $20 here in NYC.

RAD

(why can't I ever seem to make a post without a spelling error?)

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 11-06-2000).]

[raggedy1]

I agree with you completely on this one. I tried this one last week. $16.00 - not worth the money. Could appeal to someone looking for an easy drinking Cab, but then why drink Cab if this is what you're looking for? Light on the palate, lacking complexity, and a very short finish. Nothing offensive here, but definitely better places to spend my wine dollars. I'll keep a few bottles around for those friends I think this may appeal to...

[mrdutton]

Don't feel bad, RAD................

As you may know already, spelling is not MY forte, either.

Has to do with haveing gone through school learning phonetics rather than spelling........ plus a bit of thislexia. (BIG GRIN)

[Bucko]

1998 was a tough year in CA -- the Zins that I have tried have been pretty lame compared to 1997 versions; not bad mind you, just not up to par.

Bucko

[winoweenie]

Hi Guys, and greetings from the weenier. Just spent 4 glorious in Napa and Sonoma. The Spectator`s done-did it agin. Have never seen such a feeding-frenzy as Sat and Sun in St. Helena. Every winery that had a wine in the 90`s was packed. Every wine store was like a fire-sale. Bucko, what will the rag do next Oct to pump-up the innocents? ( or No-Sense ) I thot I`d seen all of the idiotic pricing that could possibly come down the pike, but this takes the cake,cook,stove,and spatula.Two stores ( I`ll not name the culprits ) had undoubtedly conspired as they had the same 8 wines at the exact same price. The following 8 Bryant Family, Dalle Valle Maya, Merryvale Profile, Viader, Pahlmeyer, Joe Phelps Insignia, Justin Isosceles, and Colgin Herb Lamb were priced at a MERE $ 3500 smackeroos. Any of you interested in buying this package " E " me and I`ll give you the source.ABSOTIVVELLY DIGUSTIPATED. WW Oh yeah, I asked a clerk in one of the stores if any had been sold and he beamingly replied " We`ve sold 9 sets " which is even more disturbing.

[RAD]

Great to have you back, WW! What other stories have you got for us?

RAD

[winoweenie]

Tasted 20 or so 99`s from barrell and looks to be a much better vintage than 98. Some outstanding wines out there rite now. I`ve kicked into full throttle on the 97`s. The worst one I`ve had so far was munificent and the great ones are mind-blowers.Don`t miss the 97 B.V.`s. The Tapestry is a killer, the George is better and both the Rutherford at 15 and the Napa at 12 are wunnerful wines. Haven`t found out anything about the producer ( Wightman ) or the vineyard ( Tri-Leopard ) yet, but the 97 they produced is easily a 92-95. 55 potatoes and worth ebber peony. If you by chance see this sucker, SNAP-IT. All-in-all the 97`s are superb across the board, BUT still not the match of the 94`sIMHO. WW