Justin 2017 Justification 1.5L Magnum

Justification has been Justin Vineyards & Winery's flagship statement since 1987 — a genuinely long-running commitment to a style most Paso Robles producers don't chase. Rather than leading with Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine draws its inspiration directly from the Right Bank of Bordeaux, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc, not Cabernet Sauvignon, define the region's most celebrated wines. The 2017 vintage runs 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, sourced from Justin's own estate — 1,000 acres total, with 500 devoted to vineyard — fermented in a combination of stainless steel open- and closed-top tanks using UV43 yeast, with twice-daily pump-overs to build structure and extraction. The finished wine matures 20 months in French oak, 44% of it new, before bottling at a robust 15.0% ABV.

CellarTracker's community has rated the 2017 vintage a strong 91 points on average across 71 individual reviews, with one taster calling it "just an excellent wine," praising its "excellent nose, dark earth, muted fruit, hint of chocolate on the palate," and noting it was "even better on the second day." Wine Enthusiast's own tasting found "aromas of dried berry, baked soil, beef and a hint of smoke," with a palate that's "dry and smoke-driven, offering iodine and roasted strawberry flavors." IntoWine's independent review offered genuinely useful cellaring guidance: "on the palate, this has thick tannins at this stage... it is very tight right now but opened up nicely on day 2. If drinking now, give it a good decant. This should improve a bit over the next few years and be good for seven to ten years after that."

Justin's own official notes describe the wine as "very aromatic with ripe black and red cherry and blackcurrant fruit, vanilla and cinnamon spice with cedar, autumn leaves, oak, graphite, red licorice, and cocoa," full-bodied on the palate "with ripe red and black fruit and baking spice on entry," joined by "oak and dusty tobacco notes" on the midpalate, with "balanced acidity keeping things elegant and fresh." The finish is described as "long and complex with mouth-filling, fine tannins, lingering cherry fruit, barrel spice, and oak with subtle floral notes." This is a genuinely serious, food-versatile Paso Robles red — recommended by the winery for pairings ranging from herb-crusted pork loin to pan-seared duck breast to a classic gourmet burger — now available in a substantial 1.5-liter Magnum, ideal for entertaining or extended cellaring.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Justification is the flagship red blend of Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles, California, first produced in 1987 and consistently built around the spirit of Right-Bank French Bordeaux — a blend led by Merlot and Cabernet Franc rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate spans 1,000 acres, with 500 devoted to vineyard, and the 2017 vintage of Justification is a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot.

Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel open- and closed-top tanks, using UV43 yeast and twice-daily pump-overs to build structure and extraction. The finished wine matures 20 months in French oak barrels, 44% of them new, before bottling at 15.0% ABV. This 1.5-liter Magnum format offers an ideal vessel for both extended cellaring and larger gatherings.

Critics Reviews

"The 2017 Justification is a Right Bank-styled blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it offers bright red and black cherry fruits with notions of garrigue, dried herbs, vanilla and cardamom. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied, with slowly opening fruits and a firm, grainy frame. It has great lift and freshness and finishes long. An approachable, friendly style." Robert Parker 92 Points

CellarTracker community — 91 average (71 reviews)

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points:
"Aromas of dried berry, baked soil, beef and a hint of smoke show on the nose of this blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot. The palate is dry and smoke-driven, offering iodine and roasted strawberry flavors."

IntoWine (extended independent review):
"This is a 'right bank' Bordeaux blend from Paso Robles. It is 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot and sees 44% new French oak for 20 months. Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, dusty, baking spices, slight tobacco and cedar. On the palate, this has thick tannins at this stage. Lots of cherries, red currants, spice and slight earthiness. It is very tight right now but opened up nicely on day 2. If drinking now, give it a good decant. This should improve a bit over the next few years and be good for seven to ten years after that. It has lots of fruit right now but will gain complexity as the tannins and fruit integrate."

CellarTracker community (extended review):
"Just an excellent wine, especially for the price point. Drinking well now, with anticipated remaining window of 2-3 years. Excellent nose, dark earth, muted fruit, hint of chocolate on the palate. Warm finish. Even better on 2nd day. Wonderful effort from Paso Robles' Justin."

Justin Vineyards & Winery (official tasting notes):
"The 2017 Justin Justification expresses the spirit of a few Right-Bank French Bordeaux producers by blending Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Visually, it is deep ruby/purple with black hue at the core and moderately stained tears on the glass. It is very aromatic with ripe black and red cherry and blackcurrant fruit, vanilla and cinnamon spice with cedar, autumn leaves, oak, graphite, red licorice, and cocoa. On the palate, it is full-bodied with ripe red and black fruit and baking spice on entry, with oak and dusty tobacco notes joining on the midpalate, and balanced acidity keeping things elegant and fresh. The finish is long and complex with mouth-filling, fine tannins, lingering cherry fruit, barrel spice, and oak with subtle floral notes."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep ruby/purple with a black hue at the core. Ripe black and red cherry and blackcurrant fruit lead, joined by vanilla and cinnamon spice, alongside cedar, autumn leaves, oak, graphite, red licorice, and cocoa. Some tastings find dried berry, baked soil, and a hint of smoke.

Palate
Full-bodied, with ripe red and black fruit and baking spice on entry, joined by oak and dusty tobacco notes on the midpalate. Balanced acidity keeps the wine elegant and fresh despite its considerable ripeness, with thick, structured tannins reflecting its youth.

Finish
Long and complex, with mouth-filling, fine tannins, lingering cherry fruit, barrel spice, and oak, finished with subtle floral notes. A genuinely age-worthy close, with independent tasters recommending 7 to 10 years of further cellaring potential.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Herb-crusted pork loin with roasted root vegetables
• Pan-seared duck breast
• Classic gourmet burger
• Aged hard cheeses