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Red
1985 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
- Oakville
Label borrowed from 1986
Label borrowed from 1986
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Community Tasting Notes 34
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Jeff Leve wrote: 90 points
October 4, 2022 - Fading, but still fun to drink with all of its cigar box, tobacco leaf, green herbs, cedar, tangy blackberries and red currants. There is a nice medium/full-bodied, crisp, peppery, red currant note in the finish. Drink from 2022-2025.
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adnorthup wrote:
May 8, 2022 - Wonderfully young. Fruit was full and red, loads of earth, nice slight eucalyptus note. Reminder of what California can truly be.
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DaleW wrote:
April 22, 2021 - (mag) . Really needs the air in this format, big young wine, but rather lovely. Cassis, blackberry, truffles, coffee, spice. Long and complex. Wonderful showing. A-
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dream Likes this wine: 96 points
April 19, 2021 - Rather unyielding and coiled at first but with air and some grilled hanger steak, this really started to open and reveal stunning aromatics and flavors. Rich blue/black fruits combine with firm acidity and structure to produce an intense mouthfeel with great depth and power. The finish is incredibly complex with amazing dark spice notes that go on forever along with hints
of eucalyptus and minerals. A fresh, vivid, utterly compelling aged Napa Cabernet that still has years of life left at least in magnum. 96+ -
Kemo Sabe Likes this wine: 94 points
December 24, 2019 - A great old Cali Cab - the way they should all be made. Resolved but still plenty in the tank. Initially lots of cigar and tobacco. Spice box. After a couple hours of air there was more olive and olive tapenade. Constantly changing and evolving in the glass. Super fun and enjoyable. Stood up well to a 96 Cos Estournel in the next glass. Very complimentary bottles.
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Pro Reviews 3
Add a Pro ReviewView From the Cellar
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By John Gilman
May/Jun 2021, Issue #93, The 1984 and 1985 Vintages Of California Cabernet Sauvignon(Joseph Phelps Vineyards “Backus Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)) Subscribe to see review text.
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By John Gilman
Sep/Oct 2010, Issue #29, In Search of California’s New and Old Schools of Terroir(Joseph Phelps “Backus Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text.
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
6/14/2012 (link) 91 points(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard) Bricking opaque purple red violet color; mint, eucalyptus, tart blackberry, green herb nose; maturing, mint, olive, weedy, tart plum, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (13.4% alcohol)
Wine Definition
- Vintage 1985
- 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 010465228505
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
- In Cellars 232 (63%)
- Consumed 139 (37%)
Food Pairing
Community Recommendations
Prime steak and cucumber saladWho Likes This Wine
100% Like It 10 votes
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerJoseph Phelps
- VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationOakville
Add Articles
- Wine1985 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