November 20, 2023 - 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.
September 25, 2021 - 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!!
September 12, 2020 - 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.
May 25, 2020 - 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.
February 23, 2020 - 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.
August 17, 2019 - 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
August 15, 2019 - 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.
January 4, 2019 - 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!
December 24, 2017 - 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.
August 15, 2017 - 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.