This wine opened up within a half hour. Nose was leather and tobacco and a hint of dark fruit. The palate had beautiful blCk fruit of black cherry, black berry and some sweet dark olum. The tannins were rounded and let the fruit come forward. The finish has a splash of acidity that left you wanting more - long and expressive!!
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Only took 20 minutes in the open bottle to open up. Nose of black fruit, mainly black cherry and leather. Pallet full of black cherry notes with a nice ascending note of black currant. Finish was soft with notes of black cherry and leather and vanilla all over.
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A beautiful full bodied wine. Nose of dark fruit and after a good airing the alchohol was not a relevant part of the wine. Nose of dark fruit and some smoke or leather. The palate was delighted with deep dark fruit, black raspberry, black cherry and a currant essence with the round tannins. Finish was long and delightful as the acid, tannins and fruit fight for the end of the line.
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Bob Strasser -a good friend hosted three of us for a night of wine tasting. We had the following wines: 1994 Far Niente Cab, 2006 Phelps Backus, 2007 Phelps Insignia, 2009 Rudd Cab, 2016 Harlen "The Maiden" This tasting went for 3 and a half hours. Needless to sayall the wines were fantastic and the night was nothing but good drink, food and laughter. The Far Niente held up well considering it is 26 years old - Good body, color was garnet and clarity was perfect - amazing - I probably bought this bottle 23 years ago. The mouth feel was soft and round with nice berry flavors middle to finish. Very Nice! The Backus was also in good shape - the body was a little heavier and the color was a little darker. It was also flavorful - Berries and menthol flavors start to end, I would say less fruit forward but a little more complex.
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Clear deep purple. Clean nose, pronounced intensity with rich and opulent black cherry, strong vanilla, prunes , tar, savory aromas of meat and mushrooms. Probably still developing but primary aromas are giving way to tertiary flavors. On the palate: dry, medium plus acidity, very fine and silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body, pronounced flavors of very rich, mouthful cooked fruit, bitter chocolate, prunes. Finish is medium +. Very good wine drink now or age for 5 + more years
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Backus is the crown jewel of Napa Cab. It won out over Shrader Hillside, Sloan, Maya, Hundred Acre in side by side tasting. Enjoyed it with Tomahawk Ribeyes and grilled octopus. Beautiful wine.
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Very strong perfume on the nose, tight for the first hour, full body and long finish. It will pair well with NY Strip Steak. This was wine number 6 of our Couples Wine Group, the wine was decanted for one hour with I believe was not enough, thankfully towards the very end I enjoyed the last sip showing a broader spectrum and complexity. Very good wine with better days ahead!
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Christmas Eve dinner was complete with this bottle. Excellent color, clarity and body. Good From start to a long finish with berry, caramel and chocolate flavors.
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A very thick texture with lots of dark, juicy fruit, powerful round tannins and a pleasing acid bite, while managing to keep the alcohol in control.
I've had Backus a few times now and while each year is different, I find them to be a really representative example of high end Napa-style cab. This was paired with an aged ribeye and was served for comparison alongside a 1998 Dunn cab. While the contrast in styles and ages certainly sparked conversation, but Backus more than held its own and I would recommend this to anyone who liked Napa style cab.
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clear garnet with slight rim browning . cigar box, tar, leather medium to low acida, very low tannins anise mmedium to short balanced finish . winery event .
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Napa cab in a non-over-the-top style. Not big and fat like some cabs can be. That is a good thing. At 11 years old it was in a good place tonight. Nice fruit with good balance. Venturied into our glasses about one half hour before dinner. Did not realize that we had opened a $200 bottle of wine until we were 1/2 eat thru it. Lol! We did enjoy this Bordeaux styled Callie cab. Picked up in a trade years ago. All in all it was a nice wine and we both enjoyed, but not worth the tariff. No major flaws just not a WOW wine tonight. Will it get better with time?
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This 2005 release tasting was a bit closed and tight, at ten years old this has many years of life yet and may not even have reached its peak drinking window.
Dark inky garnet purple colored, smooth polished nicely balanced black berry and black raspberry fruits, tones of anise and cedar turning to a hints of dark mocha on the long lingering silky smooth tannin finish.
Vertical tasting of Backus and Phelps Insignia - http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/10/gala-celebration-dinner-features-phelps.html
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Lovely wine. Currant, blackberry and light leather. The fruit was still at the forefront of this long finishing wine. Mild, balanced tannins made this a very nice experience. Decanted for an hour, and the last glass showed rose notes at the end.
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Dark color. Black currants, plum and vanilla aromas with a subtle bouillon note in the background. Flavors of black fruit and vanilla. Nicely balanced, but not distinctive in any particular way.
I suspect this is simply shut down. Give it plenty of time.
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Tannins are nicely resolved at this point which is allowing the dark fruit and berry profile to stream through quite nicely. I expected a little more from the nose, which is slightly subdued but the flavors and overall richness make up for it. Decent length finish. Overall a very nice bottle but doesn't stand apart from any of the other wines in it's class.
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Backus vs. Insignia (Atheneum Intercontinental Hotel, Athens, Greece.): Stand between the 2004 and 2005 in terms of richness, but aromatically it is different to both, with a less fruity and more savory aromatic profile. Charcoal, barbecue smoke and scorched earth alongside dark chocolate, dark plums and blackberry jam with sweet spice. Full-bodied, dense and very long with firm, fine-grained tannins and a relatively high acidity that sets it apart from most top Napa cabs. Needs time to nintegrate its components.
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(Deals/Genka Gastronomy Fair, J. Phelps Backus & Insignia mini vertical, Intercontinental Hotel) This is a blend of 94% CS, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, inox fermenting tanks, 24 months in oak, total production 13.000 btl. Dense and complex nose but more restraint than the '04 and '05 offering fruits, spicy notes and toast. In the palate the wine is strong, the alcohol gives a burn, bold tannic structure and the acidity is at rather much higher levels too. The oak hasn't blended in yet, still the wine offers an excellent long aftertaste of black fruits and toasted oak. I think this vintage stood apart from the other two.
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I suppose shortcomings of the vintage shows here in the wine. lacks power and intensity of the 2005, 2006 or even the 2008. tannins already resolved but a bit boring and tired on the palate.
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Unfortunately for Phelps, Laube nailed the rating on this one. Nice enough flavors, but not the depth or complexity we would expect from a $200 bottle of Backus. I will wait another year or two before I open my last bottle.
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Unfortunately for Phelps, Laube nailed the rating on this one. Nice enough flavors, but not the depth or complexity we would expect from a $200 bottle of Backus. I will wait another year or two before I open my last bottle.
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Very good, tight ad bordeaux like, this wine was much better than WS thought. Nose of fruit wound around atight core of oak and coffee, the wine tasted of cassis, dark forest fruit, and vanilla nuances. Tannins were silky and finish was long. Very nice, and will benefit from time.
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11/20/2023 - Jim B Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour, but really show it's best at the end of bottle, which was about 1 1/2 hours in. I would drink soon, if I had more.
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9/25/2021 - Darwine Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine opened up within a half hour. Nose was leather and tobacco and a hint of dark fruit. The palate had beautiful blCk fruit of black cherry, black berry and some sweet dark olum. The tannins were rounded and let the fruit come forward. The finish has a splash of acidity that left you wanting more - long and expressive!!
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9/12/2020 - Darwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Only took 20 minutes in the open bottle to open up. Nose of black fruit, mainly black cherry and leather. Pallet full of black cherry notes with a nice ascending note of black currant. Finish was soft with notes of black cherry and leather and vanilla all over.
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5/25/2020 - Darwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
A beautiful full bodied wine. Nose of dark fruit and after a good airing the alchohol was not a relevant part of the wine. Nose of dark fruit and some smoke or leather. The palate was delighted with deep dark fruit, black raspberry, black cherry and a currant essence with the round tannins. Finish was long and delightful as the acid, tannins and fruit fight for the end of the line.
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2/23/2020 - bryon m wrote: 93 Points
Bob Strasser -a good friend hosted three of us for a night of wine tasting. We had the following wines: 1994 Far Niente Cab, 2006 Phelps Backus, 2007 Phelps Insignia, 2009 Rudd Cab, 2016 Harlen "The Maiden" This tasting went for 3 and a half hours. Needless to sayall the wines were fantastic and the night was nothing but good drink, food and laughter. The Far Niente held up well considering it is 26 years old - Good body, color was garnet and clarity was perfect - amazing - I probably bought this bottle 23 years ago. The mouth feel was soft and round with nice berry flavors middle to finish. Very Nice! The Backus was also in good shape - the body was a little heavier and the color was a little darker. It was also flavorful - Berries and menthol flavors start to end, I would say less fruit forward but a little more complex.
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8/17/2019 - vpoms wrote: 93 Points
Clear deep purple. Clean nose, pronounced intensity with rich and opulent black cherry, strong vanilla, prunes , tar, savory aromas of meat and mushrooms. Probably still developing but primary aromas are giving way to tertiary flavors. On the palate: dry, medium plus acidity, very fine and silky tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body, pronounced flavors of very rich, mouthful cooked fruit, bitter chocolate, prunes. Finish is medium +. Very good wine drink now or age for 5 + more years
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8/15/2019 - Bachus Maling Likes this wine: 94 Points
Backus is the crown jewel of Napa Cab. It won out over Shrader Hillside, Sloan, Maya, Hundred Acre in side by side tasting. Enjoyed it with Tomahawk Ribeyes and grilled octopus. Beautiful wine.
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1/4/2019 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very strong perfume on the nose, tight for the first hour, full body and long finish. It will pair well with NY Strip Steak. This was wine number 6 of our Couples Wine Group, the wine was decanted for one hour with I believe was not enough, thankfully towards the very end I enjoyed the last sip showing a broader spectrum and complexity. Very good wine with better days ahead!
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12/24/2017 - bryon m wrote: 91 Points
Christmas Eve dinner was complete with this bottle. Excellent color, clarity and body. Good From start to a long finish with berry, caramel and chocolate flavors.
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8/15/2017 - jchrisharris wrote: 94 Points
A very thick texture with lots of dark, juicy fruit, powerful round tannins and a pleasing acid bite, while managing to keep the alcohol in control.
I've had Backus a few times now and while each year is different, I find them to be a really representative example of high end Napa-style cab. This was paired with an aged ribeye and was served for comparison alongside a 1998 Dunn cab. While the contrast in styles and ages certainly sparked conversation, but Backus more than held its own and I would recommend this to anyone who liked Napa style cab.
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7/9/2017 - IGN WINESNOB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and v'd. Nice nose and finish from the start. Smooth. May be near its prime or just past but enjoyable.
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12/23/2016 - enofilene Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Huge mouthfeeel with lots of mouthdrying tannins, spice, red and purple fruit, immense mid palate that quickly evaporates with finish.
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10/23/2016 - CJM wrote: 89 Points
clear garnet with slight rim browning . cigar box, tar, leather medium to low acida, very low tannins anise mmedium to short balanced finish . winery event .
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5/6/2016 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 90 Points
Napa cab in a non-over-the-top style. Not big and fat like some cabs can be. That is a good thing. At 11 years old it was in a good place tonight. Nice fruit with good balance. Venturied into our glasses about one half hour before dinner. Did not realize that we had opened a $200 bottle of wine until we were 1/2 eat thru it. Lol! We did enjoy this Bordeaux styled Callie cab. Picked up in a trade years ago. All in all it was a nice wine and we both enjoyed, but not worth the tariff. No major flaws just not a WOW wine tonight. Will it get better with time?
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12/25/2015 - michaelkelley5@mac.com wrote:
Wonderful wine with Christmas dinner
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10/3/2015 - rmcnees wrote: 94 Points
This 2005 release tasting was a bit closed and tight, at ten years old this has many years of life yet and may not even have reached its peak drinking window.
Dark inky garnet purple colored, smooth polished nicely balanced black berry and black raspberry fruits, tones of anise and cedar turning to a hints of dark mocha on the long lingering silky smooth tannin finish.
Vertical tasting of Backus and Phelps Insignia - http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/10/gala-celebration-dinner-features-phelps.html
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12/10/2014 - Paradigm Media wrote: 94 Points
Lovely wine. Currant, blackberry and light leather. The fruit was still at the forefront of this long finishing wine. Mild, balanced tannins made this a very nice experience. Decanted for an hour, and the last glass showed rose notes at the end.
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11/22/2014 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Dark color. Black currants, plum and vanilla aromas with a subtle bouillon note in the background. Flavors of black fruit and vanilla. Nicely balanced, but not distinctive in any particular way.
I suspect this is simply shut down. Give it plenty of time.
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11/22/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 89 Points
4th Saturday group. Bordeaux profile. Guessed Bordeaux.
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8/30/2014 - Rob MacKay wrote: 91 Points
Tannins are nicely resolved at this point which is allowing the dark fruit and berry profile to stream through quite nicely. I expected a little more from the nose, which is slightly subdued but the flavors and overall richness make up for it. Decent length finish. Overall a very nice bottle but doesn't stand apart from any of the other wines in it's class.
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9/23/2013 - CLOrta wrote: 96 Points
Drinking very nice will only get better with age... I'd say 2 more yrs is prime
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4/15/2013 - Yiannis wrote: 96 Points
Backus vs. Insignia (Atheneum Intercontinental Hotel, Athens, Greece.): Stand between the 2004 and 2005 in terms of richness, but aromatically it is different to both, with a less fruity and more savory aromatic profile. Charcoal, barbecue smoke and scorched earth alongside dark chocolate, dark plums and blackberry jam with sweet spice. Full-bodied, dense and very long with firm, fine-grained tannins and a relatively high acidity that sets it apart from most top Napa cabs. Needs time to nintegrate its components.
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4/14/2013 - kostaslonis wrote: 95 Points
(Deals/Genka Gastronomy Fair, J. Phelps Backus & Insignia mini vertical, Intercontinental Hotel)
This is a blend of 94% CS, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, inox fermenting tanks, 24 months in oak, total production 13.000 btl.
Dense and complex nose but more restraint than the '04 and '05 offering fruits, spicy notes and toast.
In the palate the wine is strong, the alcohol gives a burn, bold tannic structure and the acidity is at rather much higher levels too. The oak hasn't blended in yet, still the wine offers an excellent long aftertaste of black fruits and toasted oak. I think this vintage stood apart from the other two.
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2/18/2012 - mattyboy_ wrote: 90 Points
I suppose shortcomings of the vintage shows here in the wine. lacks power and intensity of the 2005, 2006 or even the 2008. tannins already resolved but a bit boring and tired on the palate.
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12/19/2010 - jeffm_fla wrote: 87 Points
Unfortunately for Phelps, Laube nailed the rating on this one. Nice enough flavors, but not the depth or complexity we would expect from a $200 bottle of Backus. I will wait another year or two before I open my last bottle.
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12/17/2010 - jeffm_fla wrote: 87 Points
Unfortunately for Phelps, Laube nailed the rating on this one. Nice enough flavors, but not the depth or complexity we would expect from a $200 bottle of Backus. I will wait another year or two before I open my last bottle.
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12/18/2009 - mmyette wrote: 93 Points
Very good, tight ad bordeaux like, this wine was much better than WS thought. Nose of fruit wound around atight core of oak and coffee, the wine tasted of cassis, dark forest fruit, and vanilla nuances. Tannins were silky and finish was long. Very nice, and will benefit from time.
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