2002 Justin Isosceles

Justin bottles two different versions of Isosceles, the regular bottling and a "reserve".

91 pts. is about as good as the regular Isosceles ever gets, but is a fairly middling score for the Reserve.

Which version did you taste, if you recall?

Vinyrd -

value aside, i've only found a recent decline (98' vintage, 00' on...) in the Isosceles... the 99' is amazing in my book, easy 93 pt wine, as was the 97' last time i've had... now, is it worth $55+, well... definitely not now. that being said, i've been rather disappointed in the 01' Isosceles, to the point it will be the last current release of Isosceles i'll buy... unless things dramatically for the different, which i doubt, too many other choices out there

I don't think the Isosceles is a bad wine (well, ok, the 1998 sucked), but it is a bad QPR. $55 can be spent so many other and better ways. I pulled my name off their list last year. However, the 1997 was the wine that made me get serious about wine so I do have a lot to thank them (or be mad at them)for.

I've actually never tasted Isosceles, but a local wine store is offering tastes of the '02 at its tasting bar this weekend - hence Boone's TN caught my interest.

I know we all have our different, individual concepts of QPR - for me, a $55 wine would be a great QPR if rated 95+ points, a decent QPR if 93-94 pts, and a possible buy even at 91...

However, Boone's TN really read more like an 85-86 pointer - pointing out flaws and/or idiosyncracies in the wine, but not supporting a verdict of "outstanding." That's why I wanted clarification. A wine that, in the very best vintages, was 91-92 points, but has more recently disappointed, would seem to belong in the mid- to high-80's for the 2002.

Maybe I'll taste it later this week and weigh in, albeit the consensus here seems to be "pass".

quote:

Which version did you taste, if you recall?

This wasn't the reserve. I seem to have only pointed out the negatives. I do think the '02 is very nice wine. The color is beautiful and there are some wonderful flavors. This has consistently been my favorite cab blend out of Central CA, and I always buy at least one bottle on release.

I agree with the QPR opinions above. The old $36 price tag seemed reasonable. Maybe the bottom line for me is I wouldn't pay $55 again for it. IMO they're competing with much better wines at that price.

I'm looking forward to reading notes from others.

Tasted 4/16/05:

Heady jammy/vanilla/ oaky nose, big & ripe, w/blueberry/ blackberry. Big, slightly rough tannins. Primary & monolithic. Needs time.

90pts VS. I liked it quite a bit, but I'm a tougher scorer than Strawberry Hill.

Almost opaque ruby with some purple. Very fruity nose of blueberry and cassis with some oak ang grapiness. Candied fruit, berries, grape and vanilla on the palate. Full tannins with a long, somewhat harsh finish. Needs lots of time. 88-89points, overpriced at $70CAD.

I also have noticed a drop off in quality after the '99. Tasted this along with a regular cab and it did not excite me like the older vintages did.

had the 99 at a work function and was impressed but not convinced.

I gave the '99 a score of 94. Easily the best Isoceles I've had to date. I still have one left that I will likely try later this year, unless someone can convince me to hold it a little longer.

Cliff
Will work for wine

Had this last night after a corporate sales function. Like the notes above, I found this to be a good to very good wine, but not outstanding. My guess is the heat of the summer of '02 may have diluted this wine a bit as compared to earlier vintages. 88-89 pts., not a QPR winner @ $55-60.