Napa Daytrip, Feb 2025: Joseph Phelps, Chimney Rock, Faust
Napa
Tasted Tuesday, February 18, 2025 by rnjbond with 249 views
Introduction
To celebrate my friend becoming a father (as well as his birthday), we did a nice daytrip to Napa with three wineries.
Wanted to optimize for quality wineries that weren't going to break the bank, but also could accommodate a larger group, which meant we targeted ~$125 tasting fee per winery. I also wanted to target net new wineries that none of us had been to before.
Chose Joseph Phelps, Chimney Rock, and Faust (with a lunch break at Gott's after Joseph Phelps to pad our stomachs). All are famous, well-known wineries, which appeals to the non-wine enthusiasts in the group. Just a coincidence the latter two were on the Wine Spectator Top 10 (a fact I forgot about until we got there).
The strategy was to start with the strongest winery first, but none of the three were weak links.
We got lucky with the weather too. The rain blew off and it was slightly foggy, which made the wineries even prettier.
Flight 1 - Joseph Phelps (6 Notes)
Started off really strong with the consensus favorite winery of the trip.
The winery is beautiful, both outside, as well as the building itself.
I'm familiar with Joseph Phelps because of the flagship Insignia, but never knew they did Pinot and GSM blends as well, which was a fun experience.
Our hostess was fantastic and probably the best of the trip. She was knowledgeable, passionate, and fun, but also knew that we were there to have fun and hang out, so knew when to step aside.
All the wines were really enjoyable, but really loved both the Insignia pours, especially the 2019. The birthday boy/dad-to-be ended up buying a bottle for himself to bring back home!
I also appreciate there were some light snacks to go with this, including bread, but I focused on the wines mostly solo, rather than their pairing with the food in front of us.
I will definitely be coming back to Joseph Phelps in the near future!
Flight 2 - Chimney Rock (6 Notes)
After a nice lunch, enjoyed a wonderful tasting at Chimney Rock. I've heard of their wines, but never tried it before, so this was a great introduction.
I love the idea of a horizontal tasting and that's exactly what we got here! We also got a nice, big private room and got to try the food with cheese and charcuterie as well. I also appreciate that the pours were generous.
I absolutely loved the wines and see a lot of potential in them. I have two bottles at home, which I'm eager to open up now.
I had two qualms about the experience, however.
First, I wish they had opened the wines well in advance. I know this is always a controversial topic, but some of the wines were too tight to truly enjoy. One friend actually left a few of his glasses unfinished because they were too tannic. I had to aggressively swirl a few of my glasses and one needed cheese to be enjoyable. I would have loved if the bottles were open a few hours prior and served at cellar temp.
Second, our host was entertaining and helpful, but felt like he stayed a little too long. He's someone who enjoys talking and sharing stories, which is nice, but, in this case, we also wanted to talk amongst ourselves and didn't really get as much of an opportunity as we would have liked. I can see how that style appeals to others, just wish he would adapt accordingly.
But, overall, amazing experience that I highly recommend!
Flight 3 - Faust (4 Notes)
First of all, this is beautiful property and I liked the almost-speakeasy feel to the tasting room.
Our host was fun and entertaining, without getting in the way, which was the right balance.
I enjoyed all the wines we were served and this was a great ending to the day!
Closing
Another successful day of wine tasting in the books!
Three wineries in a day is always a risk, because sometimes people get too drunk. In this case, we did a good job eating beforehand, grabbing a proper lunch, and eating in-between. This supported us all the way until dinner at A16 in SF (where we then had two more bottles of wine) and at Howell's (where we had yet another bottle).
This was also the right order, in my opinion, starting with the strongest in Joseph Phelps, so it doesn't get overwhelmed.
2022 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Tasted at the winery.
Grassy notes (almost fresh lawn), with kiwi and lemon peel.
Easy-drinking, though not very complex.
86 points.
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2022 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Tasted at the winery.
A fresh and juicy (but not jammy) pinot. Notes of dried cranberry, bright cherry, and grapefruit. Young, but already drinking nicely.
87 points.
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2021 Joseph Phelps Vin Du Mistral 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Tasted at the winery.
Pleasantly surprised to see a GSM blend from Joseph Phelps.
52% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre, and 1% Viognier, sourced from both Santa Barbara and Paso Robles.
Easy-to-drink with a somewhat short finish. Nice acidity with lower tannins as well.
Notes of red cherry, bay leaf, and pink peppercorn.
88 points.
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2021 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at the winery.
First thing you notice are the high tannins, even with some swirling, clearly needs some more time.
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec.
Notes of dark cherry, dark plum, blackberry, green peppercorn, and eucalyptus.
89 points.
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2021 Joseph Phelps Insignia 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at the winery.
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc.
In spite of the heavy Cabernet Sauvignon, this is labeled as a "red blend" owing to the history of the wine, dating back to 1974.
Notes of blueberry, dark plum, and amla (Indian gooseberry).
Nice tannins with solid acidity, surprisingly fresh considering the age.
91 points.
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2019 Joseph Phelps Insignia 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at the winery.
This was a pleasant surprise by our gracious hostess!
Mellower than the 2021 vintage, already drinking nicely with nice acidity and softer tannins.
Notes of red plum, raspberry, and wet dirt.
Would benefit from a decant or a few more years in the bottle, but enjoyable today.
92 points.
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