Joseph Phelps Vineyards Visit

My wife and I visited this winery with Tyee and his wife. This was my least favorite and least impressive winery visit on my Napa vacation. This was the only winery to charge is a tasting fee ($20) and it was not applicable to a purchase. Except for the Insignia, the wines were unimpressive. I was most disappointed that I travelled to this winery and paid $20 only to have 2 wines from their lesser Freestone Winery in Sonoma Coast poured. The terrace tasting was poorly structured and the staff seemed uninterested in guiding the tasting. When we had finished one pour we had to walk to a table to get the next wine. I would avoid this winery. Here are my notes:

• 2006 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I was told that 2006 was the inaugural vintage for this wine. 92% Sauvignon Blanc and 8% Semillon. A tart and zippy wine. Notes of grapefruit and lemons. Clean finish. 86 points.

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• 2005 Fogdog Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 81 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  100% Chardonnay. This had a sweetness about it. Notes of popcorn and apples. I found this to be too vegetative. 81 points.

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• 2005 Fogdog Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 84 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This is the 2nd vintage of this wine. A light rose red color which belies the concetrated texture. California styled Pinot. Plenty of oak with evergreen and elderberry notes. Not impressed. 84 points.

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• 2005 Joseph Phelps Le Mistral 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

  A Rhone blend of 59% Syrah, 23% Grenache, 8% Carignanne, 5% Petite Sirah and 5% Alicante. Almost black in color. Inky and thickly textured. This wine had a hot edge. Huge wall of tannins blocking the sweet red and black fruit notes. Not sure if or when this will be drinking well. 85 points.

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• 2005 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 4% Petite Verdot. Deep purple color. Full bodied with notes of cassis and plum. Slightly behind the 1999 and 2002 in my opinion. 89-90 points

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