Today’s 2015 “Savant” Paso Robles Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon has won our annual Wine Intrigue Award for Operative’s Choice: Top Paso Wine of the Year, beating out all other Paso selections to take this top spot in our annual awards period.

Congratulation, JUSTIN… and don’t dally, Operatives. This wine is very close to selling out.

Here’s what we said about the wine, the first time that we featured it:

Debut Alert: Today marks the first time in our 12 year history that Justin Vineyards & Winery has graced our pages. And for our inaugural presentation, we’re thrilled to be showcasing their spectacular 2015 “Savant” Paso Robles Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Blend. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is a rich, classy, stunner.

This BIG blend is garnet at its very core, and ruby where the light shines through. It’s an interesting combination of brooding bramble and perfumed floral quality. It’s got a smoky quality as well as mature notes of leather and tobacco. Fruit influence is mostly cassis and blackberry. The berries are pronounced up front with blackberry, wild strawberry, and boysenberry coming through loud and clear. On the back, rich red clay earth and barrel spice notes of vanilla and butterscotch creep in. As red blends do so well, this wine offers so much depth and complexity that keeps your palate engaged and your taste buds enthralled. Solid tannin and huge fruit unfold in waves that move from blunt force to finesse as the finish looms near. Wait to drink this wine with a rack of baby back pork ribs (smoked till it’s falling off the bone) with your favorite BBQ sauce. Thank us later.

Justin was founded by Justin Baldwin, who purchased 160 acres of heaven in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. Their goal, then as now, was to craft wines that rival those from the heralded Napa and Sonoma wineries to the north. Their rich soils and perfect microclimate make for wines that are intensely flavored, balanced, and perfect with your favorite foods.

Winemaker Fred Holloway has been crafting some of the most respected and award-winning wines in California for more than 30 years. His work with Jess Jackson led to the creation of the Artisan Series wines that helped launch Jackson Families’ wines to fame. But, it was Fred’s work with Justin that launched him to superstardom.