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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 236 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Araldinho on 12/30/2023 & rated 90 points: Deep garnet.
Aromas of cassis, red currant, plum jam, coffee, wet grass, leather, cedar and stock cube.
Full body
Coarsely grained, chewy tannins. Blackcurrant acids and espresso bitterness.
Palate of blackcurrant jam, plum, thyme, sandalwood, menthol and forest floor.
A fruity, fresh and attractive cabernet with jammy fruit, delicate nutty and grassy aromas and rather long bittersweet finish. Drink within 10 years. Tasted 2023. Tasted alongside Penfolds bin 707, 1994. In comparison, the matched wine was muscular, deeper and a more complex wine, yet the present wine will most likely evolve into a great, subtle and multi-layered cab sauv over time. (453 views) | | | Tasted by Wine4Life on 7/30/2022 & rated 91 points: Deep dark ruby with no signs of bricking, nice open nose, dark berries and forest floor dominate. Big body with Darcy fruit well balanced with some acidity and well resolved tannins. Drinking perfectly but cold easily cellar for another 5 years. (1591 views) | | | Tasted by louisl on 5/28/2022 & rated 93 points: Drinking beautifully right now. Big bold dark fruit on the nose with some mature flavors coming through, full body with some residual grippy tannins. This will hold a few more years for sure, but I don't see any reason to wait. (1580 views) | | | Tasted by Lion King on 1/24/2022 & rated 92 points: Big and bold with tannins still very evident. Drinking well but can cellar for a couple more years. (2046 views) | | | Tasted by Jennylynn on 11/29/2021: Gave to Jordan and ryan (2028 views) | | | Tasted by chiefilliniboy on 11/27/2021 & rated 88 points: Drank side by side with 2009, which was much better at this stage. Decanted for 1 hr but needed 2 until started to open up. Was solid, but would have rather let it have a few years. (1720 views) | | | Tasted by H2 Whine on 8/1/2021 & rated 93 points: Drinking spectacularly right now (IMHO).
Opened an hour prior to drinking. It got even better over the next two hours and then seemed to fade a bit (or it was just better with food).
Last bottle of this vintage. :( (1443 views) | | | Tasted by JCGuthrie on 2/25/2021: Mostly mineral and plum on the nose. On the palate I initially got a distinct prune flavor, and wasn't sure whether to chalk that up to age or heat damage. The note did dissipate with air, but never fully went away. If this bottle is representative, this wine is certainly on the downslope, which is both surprising and disappointing. I know it's not Insignia, but expected a bit more. (1753 views) | | | Tasted by rhanke on 2/10/2021 & rated 88 points: I enjoyed this win in the past. It now seems to have lost some of its grip. Tannins seem to be fading. Glad this is my last bottle. Drink now. (1443 views) | | | Tasted by Steve Baxter on 6/13/2020 & rated 88 points: Meh (2191 views) | | | Tasted by pickhardt on 6/6/2020 & rated 91 points: Much better fruit for me than the Sullivan Collage even with its age. Nice wine. (1758 views) | | | Tasted by dlcass on 4/24/2020 & rated 92 points: Nice wine. In drinking window. Well made, nice nose, mouth feel and finish. Not overly complex but very enjoyable. (1832 views) | | | Tasted by GQG on 1/29/2020 & rated 91 points: Nose is fresh and clean. Medium full body of dark cherries, plums, cedar, leather, chocolate, and earth framed well with acidity and smooth tannins.
Drinking well now PnP, or can be aged further as on day two it held up nicely. (2424 views) | | | Tasted by Vintage 1958 on 1/5/2020: . (1771 views) | | | Tasted by Alro on 11/20/2019 & rated 92 points: Velvety smooth tannins , plenty of fruit. lingering long finish...still plenty of life in this vintage if cared for properly. (1600 views) | | | Tasted by appel54 on 6/8/2019 & rated 91 points: Lite vinröd färg
Tobak, sandelträ, trä, körsbär, lite försiktig på näsan, trycksvärta
Torr, stram, en viss syra, härlig längd
En bra jänkarcab som jag gärna dricker igen. Dock inte värd pengen idag. (1491 views) | | | Tasted by vpoms on 5/27/2019 & rated 91 points: Clear, deep purple, clean nose of medium plus intensity with aromas of blueberries, plums, toast, leather, meat, mushrooms, earth. Wine is developing. On the palate it is dry with medium plus acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, full body and medium plus flavor intensity of stewed fruit, leather, cedar, cured meat, bitter chocolate. Finish is medium. Very good wine. Drink now or can be aged further. (2038 views) | | | Tasted by birdiefour on 3/30/2019 & rated 92 points: Still hints of tannin but mostly nice fruit. (1839 views) | | | Tasted by bergkamp10 on 12/31/2018 & rated 90 points: Classic NapaCabernet. Tasted alongside 2006 Corison Kronos and the Phelps held its own. Dark in the glass, on nose - cassis, vanilla and earth. Quite big mid palate, deep dark black fruit, sandalwood, leather and earth on a complex finish with drying tannins. Took a couple of hours to come around and I would be tempted to hold if I had more. (1989 views) | | | Tasted by Martin Ferland on 11/10/2018 & rated 96 points: Sublime (2143 views) | | | Tasted by LARich on 7/30/2018 & rated 92 points: Delicious and drinking beautifully. Will last another few years (2604 views) | | | Tasted by rojoloco on 5/16/2018 & rated 91 points: Lovely wine right out of the bottle, then tightened up for a few minutes. It is lighter than most California Cabernets, lighter than a Kistler Pinot for instance. But worked ok with a ribeye and salad. Held up through the evening, (2497 views) | | | Tasted by CJM on 4/14/2018 & rated 92 points: Clear, deep garnet with slight rim browning. Cedar, chocolate, cigar box. Low acids, medium to low tannins. Fig. Long balanced finish (2350 views) | | | Tasted by Swekman on 2/17/2017 & rated 93 points: This Cabernet has a nose of white pepper, lush cherries, blackberry, leather, and red earth, and black licorice. The tannins are bold and chewy and the finish is long, delicate, and refined. It is absolutely yummy after decanting just over an hour. I have three bottles left -- yay! (4844 views) | | | Tasted by grjas on 2/3/2017 & rated 90 points: Very nice Cali cab. Smooth, rich flavour without too much sweetness or fruitiness. No need to wait. Drinking nicely now (3947 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (11/29/2011)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2010, IWC Issue #150
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of 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.2008 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa ValleyWinemaker: Ashley Hepworth
Blend & Grape Sources: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec from estate-owned vineyards (83%) and independent growers (17%)
The 2008 Cabernet reveals aromas of plum and blackberry intertwined with graphite, forest floor, dark chocolate and curry notes. The fruit and spice carry through on the palate adding to the multi-layered texture of this wine. Supple, integrated and age-worthy tannins create a long, lush finish.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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