1997 Justin Obtuse (fortified wine)
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:33 pm
So after a 1991 Ridge Geyserville and a 375ml of a 1983 Gould Campbell VP, it was time for some friends and I to crack this one and see how she compaired. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Paso Robles, California, and fortified to 20% ABV. The color is nice and dark, like a young VP should be. The nose though was aptly described by a friend as "very sweet like a chocolate covered cherry." The palate is very simple and jammy, again decribed by a friend as "A packet of Knott's Berry Farm jam on your table at Denny's at 3am." While I wouldn't go quite that far, it is very simple and cloying. There is no acidity to balance the super sweet brambleberries and cocoa bean. A short finish that is also very simple doesn't do much to help this out. While well made with no noticable flaws per se, it is just a nice simple, easy to drink fortified wine and nothing more. 82 points