Juslyn Vineyards

Juslyn Vineyards is a small winery located on Spring Mountain up above St. Helena in Napa Valley that was founded in 1997 by Perry and Carolyn Butler  Their first production was in 2001 when the made 80 cases of Cab.  They do not offer tastings at the winery but you can sample a Juslyn Vineyards flight for $25 by going to Ma (i)sonry in Yountville where they have “artisan wines, exquisite art and furnishings.”  They are on the main street in Yountville at 6711 Washington St. 707-944-0889 and offer wine tasting flights from about eighteen other small wineries.

Our tasting included the Juslyn 2006 Perry’s Blend at $75, a blend that has more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon and the Juslyn 2007 Perry's Blend which has more Cabernet Sauvignon and sells for $80. The 2006 is 47% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, with only 665 cases produced. The 2007 is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, with 672 cases produced. The 2007 was described by the winery as possessing a “tremendous aromas of flowers, blue, red and black fruits, graphite and forest floor” but both of us got an even better nose from the 2006.  The 2006 was softer with cherry and chocolate on the palate and good but soft tannins.  The 2007 was bigger with more tannin, but also very well balanced.  Both wines were very drinkable now but should cellar well.  I later shared a bottle of the 2006 with friends, and it was even better at home after being given some time to open up.  Now I wish I had a bottle of the 2007 Spring Mountain Cab.

The best, though, was the Juslyn 2007 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon at $110.  683 cases of this were produced.  It had a delightful aroma, some raspberry on the palate, with layers of complexity and a long finish.  It is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  This is a very good Cabernet, indeed.  We plan to return to Ma(i)sonry to try flights from other small wineries.

Juslyn Vineyards
Tastings at 6711 Washington St., Yountville, CA 94599 707-944-0889
Vineyard located at 2900 Spring Mountain Rd., St.Helena, CA 94574
(707) 265-1804
Date of visit: February 22, 2012