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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.3 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 341 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Waedi on 1/6/2024 & rated 92 points: In perfect shape and still young. (332 views) | | | Tasted by Windacre in the Slope on 10/27/2023 & rated 87 points: Fine. Kind of bland and overly sweet. (448 views) | | | Tasted by PaísDeSabores on 9/4/2023: Delightful. Even better on day 2 and 3. (533 views) | | | Tasted by Somm David T on 9/2/2023 & rated 93 points: 2007 Phelps…what can I say? I should have waited another 5-7 years for it to be perfect. Palate enters as ripe, lush, ripe, velvety, slightly candied; strawberries, cherries & progresses into blackberries, black raspberries, black plum & stewed plums. The tannins round but still meaty. It glides effortlessly over the palate. Dark berry cola, charcoal, touch of lead pencil, dark, hearty Indian/Asian spices, some pepper, cedar, mix of fresh & dry tobacco, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, dark, melted chocolate, mocha powder, caramel notes, anise, dry to slightly moist, dark soils, Rutherford dust, mix of dry, soft herbs, dry crushed, limestone minerals, fresh, dark, red, flowers framed in violets/lavender for days, perfect, round, acidity with an incredibly well blended fruit & earth, nice tension and a beautiful finish that lasts minutes. I need another well stored bottle of 07 in 5-7 years. Velvet wrapped in silk. Phelps Napa is so incredible at 15-20 years of age regardless of vintage. This would be closer to 20-22 years plus. Just an hour decant. Might have been better w/ 3 hours or a second day bottle. (620 views) | | | Tasted by KP6868 on 12/25/2022 & rated 94 points: At peak for sure. Bought as a library release and was my 2nd bottle on Xmas. This hits all the marks for me. Loved it. (1061 views) | | | Tasted by vpoms on 7/15/2022 & rated 91 points: This is my last bottle of this wine from 2007 vintage. Most of what I said in my previous review still stands. The only addition is that the flavor of slightly bitter burnt chocolate, flavor is more pronounced now. Still a very good wine but I think it is time to drink it up. (1215 views) | | | Tasted by grossie on 5/14/2022 & rated 94 points: Gorgeous Napa cab. Amazing pure fruit, there is a sweet Napa quality but it doesn't feel manipulated. Oak is present but used judiciously. Amazing high tones of eucalyptus or mint. Long finish. Fine tannins. I think this is at peak but can last a few years.
I love Phelps cabs. There's something about the purity of the fruit that I find really pleasing.
This reminds me some of the 97 insignia, which is high praise from me, that's one of my favorite California wines of all time. (1111 views) | | | Tasted by Aztec94 on 11/7/2021 & rated 92 points: Initial notes of berry compote, slightly candied, brown sugar, vanilla and coconut. On the palate the fruit is primary flavor so far. Nicely balanced. A couple hours in, more savory and dark notes present, still a lot of fruit as well. (1492 views) | | | Tasted by Somm David T on 6/4/2021 & rated 93 points: The legendary 07 vintage. Wine candy with & after Wagyu ribcap.
It’s on its 3-5 year peak cycle.
Candied & just a touch stewed; blackberries, blueberries, dry, dark cherries, creamy raspberries, bramble, pine syrup sap, melted caramel w/ nuts, dark chocolate, mocha powder, eucalyptus, mint, sage, bay leaf, splash of oregano, dark spice w/ some mid heat, dry top soil, rich forest floor, fresh & withering dark florals, lavender, violets, beautiful acidity with fine length, balance & elegantly polished. (2159 views) | | | Tasted by andreyd on 4/27/2021: Cork came completely apart, was very dry, but looked like it held as wine as actually still quite fresh. It didn't show super great though, seemed a little out of balance with too much hot fruit, so not sure if some bottle variation still here. Still a nice cab, just not at the expected level. Try 2nd out of 3 sooner than later but wouldn't think it's past peak. (1490 views) | | | Tasted by mschonholz22 on 12/21/2020 & rated 91 points: Drinkable now (1715 views) | | | Tasted by dfcrutcher on 11/28/2020 & rated 93 points: Quite nice. Medium + weight; fantastic color, deep and inky; has evolved nicely; notes of cocoa and black fruit; alcohol still prevalent; tannins softening. Drink now. (1545 views) | | | Tasted by Ralphie1 on 11/7/2020 & rated 95 points: Amazing Napa Cab! Aged beautifully! Probably will continue to be great for many years. (1182 views) | | | Tasted by Non-sequitur on 9/13/2020 & rated 91 points: very nice (1122 views) | | | Tasted by JCGuthrie on 5/28/2020 & rated 92 points: This showed older than I was expecting. Slight bricking around the rim. Bold nose of red and black fruit, bramble and dry leaves. On the palate can definitely taste the age, with forest floor accompanying blackberry and blackberry liquor. Tannins still very present. Two hours later it came together nicely, with blackberry and bramble on the nose, and blackberry and bramble on the palate. Wife loved this (93+) and I enjoyed it. Bit rustic, bit modern. I'd go 91-92. (1407 views) | | | Tasted by Somm David T on 11/15/2019 & rated 93 points: It has been a few years since our last 2007. It has softened some but, still a beast and picked up more florals. The 2007 has shown the consistent quality of the vintage over multiple bottles.
The nose reveals; dark sweet currants, deeply extracted blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, purple fruit blend, blueberries, poached strawberries on the glass edges, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, steeped fruit teas, sweet tarriness, leathery notes, dry crushed rocks, dry brush, dry herbs, dark liqueur notes, hints of graphite, volcanic minerals, dry top soil, expresso roast, vanilla, light, dark clove, touch of nutmeg, dark chocolate, coco powder, malt in malt balls with dark, withering & candied florals with violets & lavender.
The body is; ruby, lush and full. The tannins are; round, chewy, meaty, dusty and only 50% resolved. The structure, tension, length and balance have just hit their stride and still climbing. Dark sweet currants, deeply extracted blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, purple fruit blend, blueberries, plum, poached strawberries on the glass edges, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, steeped fruit teas, sweet tarriness, leathery notes, dry crushed rocks, moist clay, dry brush, dry herbs, dark liqueur notes, hints of graphite, volcanic minerals, dry top soil, expresso roast, vanilla, light, dark clove, touch of nutmeg, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, coco powder, malt in malt balls, Asian spice, splash of soy sauce, a touch of black pepper, wood plank, withering & candied florals with violets & lavender. The acidity is like a fresh mountain stream. The long finish is; elegant, ripe, ruby, well balanced fruit & earth and persistent for days.
The 07 has 10-20 years of good drinking ahead depending on how you store & enjoy wine. (2174 views) | | | Tasted by Somm David T on 9/28/2019 & rated 93 points: This was a check in on the 2007 vintage. The 07 is still very youthful and fresh. It will be another 5 years until I open another. However, it was nicely polished and perfect to close out our main course.
The body is full, lush & thick. The tannins still pronounced, round but, firm, meaty and nicely tarry. The structure & tension say this wine will last another 15-20 years properly stored. The length & balance show the excellent craft of this producer and the quality of the 2007 vintage in Napa.
It showed; very dark currants, heavily extracted. blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, sweet dark tarriness, lots used dark expresso grounds, some graphite, fresh tobacco, pleasant woodiness, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, alluvial soils, nicely layered baking spices, some mid dark spice, incense, light herbs and fresh, dark, red, purple florals. The acidity is round and nicely executed. The long, still big, ruby, lush finish is really beautiful. However, I forward to what the 07 down the road. It will improve and will be worth the wait. (1981 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 9/23/2019 & rated 88 points: Quite underwhelming - might have been stored poorly. Got it from the K&L library section. Was overly acidic - felt a bit hot. The age hadn't done anything for it. (1795 views) | | | Tasted by Esteban on 7/28/2019 & rated 92 points: Un gros vin mais tout de même très équilibré. Tout le monde a callé Bordeaux dans une dégustation à l'aveugle. (1712 views) | | | Tasted by vpoms on 4/20/2019 & rated 91 points: Clear deep purple color. Clean nose of medium plus intensity with aromas of black currant, flint, pencil led, toast, prunes, leather and mushrooms. Wine is fully developed. On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium silky tannins, high alcohol, medium plus body medium plus flavor intensity of dried raisins, wet stone, bitter chocolate and cured meat. The finish is medium plus. Very good wine, drink now it is at its peak. Can be aged further but I doubt that it will get much better than it is now (1738 views) | | | Tasted by jebewines on 3/9/2019 & rated 92 points: Nice, smooth, medium/full bodied wine, will even improve over a few more years. (1409 views) | | | Tasted by dlcass on 2/23/2019 & rated 96 points: Delicious and complete wine. Nice nose, mouthfeel and finish. Delayed entry. (1406 views) | | | Tasted by slywka7 on 12/15/2018 & rated 92 points: Pop, decant and pour. Aromas of sandlewood, blackberry, smoke and currant. Flavors of blackberry, cherry, currant and touch of smoke. Ends with a 25 second finish with blackberry and smoke notes. Tasting very young, could have used a long decant. (1636 views) | | | Tasted by srh on 9/22/2018: Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 09/21/18 + 2 Shared Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you sooooooo MUCH for engineering this, José & budosyu! :)
Note: Had been open ≈24 hrs
N: RIPE, lots of things going on, but tough for ME to parse out beyond noting some pyrazines
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE, almost swtish frt fairly quickly met by a puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, tangy finish with notes of spice, a swtness to the dusty tannins, & a very, VERY slight bitterness that SHOULD resolve. NEEDS through '21, I'm guessing, then at least APPROACHING its 20th? An impressive wine JUST hitting its stride? 14.5% ABV; My EXC, with more a distinct poss in several yrs. 91 pts ea WS & Tanzer, 88 WE @ $54, & 16/20 Jancis Robinson. (1925 views) | | | Tasted by kend707 on 8/31/2018 & rated 92 points: Had a dozen '07s over time. Variation is non existent. The entry level cab of 2007 delivers plenty of fruit and well integrated tannin. A "go to" choice in any vintage. (1478 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Linda Murphy
JancisRobinson.com (12/22/2010)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | i-WineReview.com, Joseph Phelps Wines (10/31/2010)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By David Lawrason
WineAlign (10/27/2010)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (10/21/2010)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2009, IWC Issue #144
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and i-WineReview.com and WineAlign and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Joseph Phelps Producer website
In the late 60s, Joseph Phelps was running one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. when he won the bid to build Souverain Winery (now Rutherford Hill) located a few miles outside of St. Helena. Enamored with the beautiful Napa Valley and contemplating a career change, in 1973 he bought the 600-acre Connolly cattle ranch in Spring Valley, and began planting vineyards. The winery was completed in 1974 and that same year the first Syrah was made, the first grapes were crushed at the new facility and the first Insignia was produced. It was a period of unparalleled activity, creativity, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and risk-taking and it put Joe Phelps on the map of top Napa Valley wine producers.
Nearly four decades later, the flagship wine, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Twenty nine of 34 vintages have been rated ninety or more points by various wine publications. From 1990 to 2007, the average score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is 94.5 pts., with the lowest score still a fabulous 91. The 2002 vintage was “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine, and the 2007 vintage has been rated 98 points by Robert Parker and 96 points by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Over the years, the goal of becoming 100% estate grown resulted in carefully planned acquisitions of prime vineyards in the Napa Valley. Today, the Phelps estate consists of the Spring Valley Home Ranch outside of St. Helena, Banca Dorada in Rutherford, Las Rocas and Barboza vineyards in Stags Leap, Yountville Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Suscol Vineyard in South Napa and Backus Vineyard in Oakville.
Beginning with the 2009 vintage, estate-grown wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Insignia, Backus (the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville) and Eisrébe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape. In addition, a small amount of Syrah is produced from fruit owned by Hyde Vineyards in Los Carneros.
Though the main focus is on Bordeaux varietals, Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. Originally Chardonnay was sourced from St. Helena, later from Yountville and then from Los Carneros. Through the years, however, Joe continued to search for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and his search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, 200 acres were acquired and planting began. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay are producing some remarkable wines which are available for tasting at the Freestone Guest Center. Visit Freestone Vineyards to learn more.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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