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.

A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot, the 2015 Justification reveals aromas of fruitcake and plums. It's similar in profile to the 2014 but a bit more baked and roasted, with less liveliness and energy. It comes at a $10 premium, but it's the inferior wine.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the 2014 Justification offers up a sweet, sun-kissed nose of plum preserve, blueberry pie and toasty new oak. On the palate, it's rich and jammy, with a chewy payload of tannin and extract and chewy, baked finish.

A blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot that spent 20 months in 45% new French oak, the 2013 Justification reveals a healthy ruby/purple color as well as classic Cabernet Franc notes of spring flowers, dried herbs, red currants and damp earth. Medium-bodied, supple, polished and charming on the palate, it has plenty to like and will keep nicely for 8-10 years.

A blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot, the 2012 Justification was aged 19 months in 47% new French oak. It's an impressive, full-bodied, nicely structured Bordeaux blend that gives up plenty of cassis, lead pencil, black raspberry and toasted spice on the nose. Already approachable, it nevertheless has the tannic structure to evolve nicely for a decade.