J Dusi Wines Score Big with Vinous
Janell Dusi of J Dusi Wines has an intimate knowledge of her vineyard and Paso Robles. She was born and raised amongst the vines in a family of farmers and vine growers. The Dusi Vineyards are renowned, not just in Paso but throughout the world. One of their earliest and long-standing customers, Ridge Vineyards, has been sourcing fruit from them since the mid-seventies to make their Zinfandel Dusi Ranch. The vineyards, in the Templeton Gap District, run parallel to Highway 101, and were planted in the 1920s, with another parcel across the highway planted in 1945. These dry-farmed bush vines resemble small trees and produce some of the most sought-after Zinfandels in the region. Janell Dusi takes about 20% of the production for her portfolio, a major standout at last year's tasting that prompted me to visit again on this trip. The J Dusi wines marry the power and richness of old-vine Zinfandel with energy and verve. They are classy and balanced, relying more on complexity than alcohol to add volume. Also of note are the J Dusi Wines - Paper Street wines, sourced from a family vineyard planted in 2013 by Dusi’s father within the Willow Creek district. They provide a lovely comparison of terroir when tasted against their Dusi Vineyard counterparts.
scores + reviews
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2022 The Don
92 POINTS
The 2022 The Don is savory in the glass, mixing sage and rosemary with dried black cherries. It washes across the palate with ease, displaying ripe black fruits and crisp mineral tones elevated by a flourish of sweet spice. The 2022 tapers off with admirable length, leaving nuances of plum, an air of tobacco and silky tannins to frame the experience nicely.
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2030
Eric Guido, June 2025
available fall of 2025
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2023 Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard
93 POINTS
The 2023 Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard blossoms in the glass with a captivating mix of crushed blackberries, blood orange and rosemary. Silky smooth yet energetic, it offers crisp wild berry fruit propelled by a core of zesty acidity, while a twang of sour citrus adds contrast. The finish is fresh yet potent and long, leaving a slight mineral tinge and a hint of tart blackberry that lingers.
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2029
Eric Guido, June 2025
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2022 Fiorento
93 POINTS
The 2022 Fiorento wafts up with a whiff of minty herbs and sweet spices that complement orange-kissed blackberries. Juicy in character, it offers zesty acidity and an array of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. This 2022 leaves a sweet herbal resonance and a nuance of black cherry on the lingering finish.
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2029
Eric Guido, June 2025
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