justin isosceles 99

i ordered 12 bottles on blind faith and they are now sitting quietly in my cellar. the isosceles is year-in-year-out fantastic for my palate. i even loved the 98 which didn't score too well per WS. Figure the 99 Cab scored 91 by this mag and the Isosceles gets the better juice...

I too ordered a case, but I know it is in bottle shock right now, as they just bottled the stuff. I won't open one for at least a couple months. Considering that the 99 Justification was miles above any other vintage, and comprises of the other 2 varietals in the Isosceles, I can only imagine how good this will be. 1999 so far is probably the best Paso Robles year I've seen.

Nick,
have you tried the 97 Isosceles recently?

For the people that received there alocation already, what price did you pay for each bottle of the '99 Isoceles. I have heard the price increase is more this year than the last 2 years. The Isoceles will not be in the stores here in KY until the beginning of April.

Thanks

I ordered 12 bottles and two magnums on faith and past experience. Jamie at the winery pronounced it superior to the '97 (but what do you expect!). How long does one wait for "bottle shock" to subside before tasting it? My all time favorite from Justin is their single vineyard Syrah from Halter Vineyards. Anyone else taste it?

raggedy1, I have 3 bottles left of the 97, and the last one I opened was at least 6 months ago.

the Halter Syrah was the MacGillivray Syrah in 98, right?
I can't find my notes on the 98, but I remember being not too impressed at the time I tried it. I thought it could have used another year in the bottle. A lighter syrah than what I was hoping for. I haven't been impressed with any of the Justin 1998 offerings.

They are charging $38 per for the Wine Society members. It lists for $47.50. In two years the retail price has risen almost 10 dollars! A bit upsetting to be sure and hopefully they won't keep jacking the price as if they were a Napa Valley winery.

Nick, what did you think of the 97 6 months ago????

whooops! I said I wasn't impressed with their 98 wines, but the 98 Isosceles was/is awesome! WS got this one WRONG!

I totally agree with you on that. I thought it was a nice wine. Not great, but pretty good. But everything from the last wine club shipment was fantastic, especially the zin and justification. I have a bottle of 94, a couple 96's also. Does anyone have TN's on these 2 or a '95 that they want to sell?

I have tried about 5 of Justin's '99's. The Isosceles was absolutely fantastic. Opaque color, huge nose and a blockbuster wine. Given that WS gave the Cab a 92 score, it would not surprise me to see a score in the high 90's (prediction 97 points).

i too, ordered a case of the 99 isoceles and a case of the 99 cab, but have yet to open one. i am getting married there 6/8/02(!), and was concerned that my party would not be allowed to drink as much as they want and even that they might hold back on the good stuff, so i'll have these 2 cases on hand just in case! the 97 and 98 isoceles were both great, but there is an obvious difference. i am going to fianlize some details at the winery this weekend, but i think they are close to out of just about everything?

oh yea, for who asked, the isocles was $38. i had to buy the 97 & 98 from a wine outlet, before i was a justin member, so those prices were double that.

Tried this Saturday with my local wine retailer. We split a bottle and quickly finished it. WOW. What a wonderful bottle of wine. This is a big tasty fruit bomb. I quickly bought three bottles to place in my cellar. Unfortunately the state of Ohio commands the price to be $51/bottle or I would have got some more.

Greg

I sure wish my local wine retailer would crack open a bottle for me!

Just buy one yourself STW, and give it a taste. I know you will enjoy this wine immensly.

I actually have two in the cellar but didn't plan on opening one for quite some time...

Would you if you only had two, seek1?

STW go for it, they are easily replaced. It is young but very tasty now.

I would second the motion to open a bottle now. This is drinking wonderfully!!

Greg

A few comments about Justin wines (I have been a fan for over a decade):

The 1998 Syrah I found disjointed when I first bought it.... 6 months later, it blossomed into a beautiful bottle of wine, and the rest of the case disappeared in just a few months. I wish I had more. The 2000 is due out in July, and I will purchase some, as the barral sample I tasted 4 months ago was quite impressive.

The Isosceles has been a stellar wine for a decade. The 1994, which won the Pichon-LaLande trophy in 1997, is still young and tight, with great balance and structure, as of last month.
The 1995 is the lightest of the vintages, possibly due to the initial release of the Isosceles Reserve that vintage (which, BTW, is drinking very nicely right now!). The 1996 is fine, the 1997 is still developing, and the 1998 has overcome its initial awkwardness to bloom into a very nice bottle of wine. The 1999 reminds me a lot of the 1997 and 1994 in depth and structure. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

Is $40 to $47.50 a reasonable price for the 1999?? Compare it to some 3rd growths from Bordeaux in a great year, and you tell me. I say "Yes!"

hdw and others-
Oh Gosh , The 99 Isosceles just come in, but it's $56.00/per. I'm on the fence, like Humpty Dumpty.
Any suggestions---and no comedians, please.

DrT

doc-it's about $40 in jersey. if you want some, let me know.

I tried the '99 Isosceles at the Grand Tour in Chicago. By the time I got to it, my palate (and brain) were pretty-well shot, but it still cut through all the "fog" and tasted very good.

I'd be surprised if it hit the "97" level as suggested above... but then... I've been surprised by Parker and Spectator many times before. My guess: 93-94; but a very nice wine at a relatively attractive price.

Dr. T

$56 per is a pretty steep price, but I thought the 99 Isosceles was a stellar wine. I feel strongly that it will reach the 97 quality IMO. Therefore I would try to search it out a little longer and if you can't find any more, at least buy one or two at the place you have found it. Can you get a case discount and throw a few of those in the case? In my area I have seen it anywhere from $38-59/bottle.

After opening a bottle this past Sunday I would definitely buy a couple even at a $56 price if I didn't have any in the cellar. I am just glad I got my allotment from the winery for $38 which is a great value for what I feel is an excellent wine. I agree that it is most similar to the 94 and 97 Isosceles but it is much more approachable now than those two were upon release. Also glad to hear the 98 is coming together since I was somewhat disappointed with it the last time we drank a bottle.

This was one of my favorites from the Las Vegas Wine Expo a couple of weeks ago. Very forward, even in the glass, which can't contain the wide range of fruit nuances typical of the blend.
The medium+ frame supports flavors of plum, blackberry, black cherry, and a touch of oak. Mouthfeel is soft and supple. The finish is extended with ample tannins that ensure at least moderate ageability.
I almost hate to post this, but I paid $34 for my first case and $39 for subsequent purchases. So Cal seems to have enough competition in the biz to keep prices "reasonable"
I'm to the point where I've switched from a "Strong Buy" to an "Accumulate", but I love this wine!

Better Red Than Not

Just picked up a six pack for $37.99 per at Canal's in Cherry Hill. I will try one in a few weeks.

jb

I picked up a few bottles for $40 in Davis. I really enjoyed this wine tonight. For me it was the WOTN amongst many other good cabs and pinots. I'm going to buy more of this wine because I am interested to see how it will age.

Shane, we are on the same wavelength. I had the first of my six pack last night at Green Gables Inn. (Jersey guys, start drooling now!!) All I can say is, WOW! The nose was very intense with violets and black cherry. Beautiful plum, and velvety chocolate flavors and a long, long finish. Tannins were still pretty burly, even after 2 hrs. open. This one could last a while, IMO. I'd give it a jb Rating of 93 pts.

jb

I recently opened a bottle of the '99. I liked
it, but I didn't really consider it noteworthy.
There are other choices in its price range that
I'd consider first. I don't have any experience cellaring it, and would have no idea what to expect.

Vineaux, what other choices in the $40 range would you consider first? This wine seems to be very available also, at least for right now. I'm going to buy more before it's gone, for $40 this is one of the best 99 California reds I've had.

I liked this wine a lot but did not think it was a blockbuster. Wino and I tasted it before a 94 Dominus -- I thought it was a solid effort - very nice extraction and fruit. I found that it lacked some of the complexity to get me say "wow" like some of the other posters. We paid $50 and it was a decent buy at that price point, but I will only add to what I already have if I see it for less... IMHO -- 92 pts.

Anyone try--or see-- the Isosceles Reserve?

Shanenw1: In all fairness, it is one of the
best California wines for the money. There
are however, a few wines that for one reason
or another have peaked my interest. At the risk of going off on a QPR thread, a few that come to mind are:

'00 JC Cellars Syrah $35
'99 Clos de L'oratoire Syrah $22
'98 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre $15
'98 Leasingham 'Classic Claire' Shiraz $40
'99 and '00 Henry's Drive Shiraz $35-40
'97 Antinori Tenute Marchese Chianti $32
'98 Ridge Geyserville $38

Have bought all I could find in Jacksonville @ $42.00 APB. I think it's great and worthy of cellaring. Small allocations making it this far. Think it will be a little better than the 1997 and to throw a little twist in the thread, MUCH better than the 1997 Overrated BV Tapestry.(IMO)

SIP SIP HOOREY

Managed to snag 3 @42.00 apiece. I hope it is worth the chat. RP gave the 97 87pts., WS-95 pts. I think pt divergence is likely for the 99, but y'all comments were good enough for me to try 3 at this price. Thanks
DrT

Dr. T, From the limited conversation we had at the 6/15 event and through reading your posts over the last half year or so, I am positive you will thouroughly enjoy this bottling. I bought one 6 pack plus 3 when it first came out. I am now down to three bottles and ordered another 6 pack already. The 99 Isosceles is so good and accessible now, yet will go for many more years all at a resonable price point, enjoy.