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Red
1996 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
- Oakville
Label borrowed from 1995
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Community Tasting Notes 26
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Chateaunewf wrote: 92 points
January 9, 2022 - Tapped with my Coravin and drank about a third of the bottle. Surprisingly light and claret in color but not really browning at the edge. Nice muted nose of fairly primary Cabernet fruit with a hint of charcoal so not particularly complex.
Stylistically very elegant with soft red current fruit, medium body, resolved tannis, and good balancing acidity. Pretty typical of the cooler 1996 vintage and mid 1990s JPV style winemaking style. Lovely but almost more like a Cab from Sonoma Mountain (eg Laurel Glen) rather than Napa Valley. Perfect accompanying a roasted prime rib but might be a little soft for a more robust seared marbled steak. -
gwpski wrote:
November 6, 2020 - Very smooth not as heavy as expected - still has great nose. Finish lasts for quite a while.
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dfcrutcher wrote: 90 points
February 11, 2019 - Somewhat disappointing. Color was still vibrant after 22 years, and had a nice earthy tobacco nose. Decanted for about an hour and consumed with a NY steak. Medium bodied with muted earth notes and light berry. Just could not quite fill up the mouth with flavor. I expected more from this pedigreed wine.
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WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 points
June 1, 2018 - this was very nice but missed being exceptional... big nose of beautiful fruit and florals, beautiful palate with really nice acidity and med / dark fruit with depth... just a beautiful / laid back Cali cab, not overdone (thank goodness) but good depth, smooth and 'easy rider' drinking
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CJM wrote: 93 points
October 23, 2016 - clear, somewhat pale garnet with medium rim browning baked black cherry pie, vanilla tar, chocolate low acids, low tannins . cassis medium to long balanced finish . winery event .
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By Stephen Tanzer
May/June 1998, IWC Issue #78 (link)(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
Wine Definition
- Vintage 1996
- Type Red
- Producer Joseph Phelps
- Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
- Designation n/a
- Vineyard Backus Vineyard
- Country USA
- Region California
- SubRegion Napa Valley
- Appellation Oakville
- UPC Code 010465229403
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 2 (0%)
- In Cellars 262 (60%)
- Consumed 175 (40%)
Food Pairing
No food pairings available.
Who Likes This Wine
100% Like It 6 votes
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerJoseph Phelps
- VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationOakville
Add Articles
- Wine1996 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (add)
- FamilyJoseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (add)
- ProducerJoseph Phelps
- VarietalCabernet Sauvignon
- VineyardBackus Vineyard (add)
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationOakville