2021 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Community Tasting Note
kostaslonis wrote:
Friday, June 30, 2023 - 10th MW Symposium, Wiesbaden - Day 2: Alcohol 14.5%, 3.3 g/l residual sugar, 5.6 g/l acidity, 3.7 pH
Vineyard: 242 hectares of vineyards, spread over eleven vineyards in 8 different appellations (AVAs). The vineyards are managed according to biodynamic principles, and vinification is gentle., Vines 30+yo, Soil Type: Basalt, schist, clay, volcanic lime, pebbles or gravel.
Vinification: In 2019, bud break occurred around the same time as 2018 but was delayed compared to our historical averages due to cold, saturated soils from the wet winter. May was cold with an unusual amount of rainfall which delayed flowering in some areas. Canopy management was key in 2019 because of vigorous canopies and moderate temperatures leading to less stress on the vines. July was cooler than average, but August and September warmed to push ripening ahead. Harvest weather patterns remained dry and fruit quality was excellent with well-developed flavours and structure. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard called El Venadito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery’s Yountville Vineyard.
Maturation: Aged for eighteen months in 48% new oak (58% French, 42% American) and 52% older French and American oak barrels before bottling. Coopers included Ermitage, François Frères, Demptos (French and American), Canton (American), Dargaud Jaegle, Orion and Taransaud.
Oak influence: Ample and generous, the palate seduces with its fruity aromas (black cherry, blackberry, black plum) spiced with vanilla. Characteristic notes of violet, black fruit and tobacco blend harmoniously with fragrances of spices, pastry, dried earth and aromatic herbs.
Months in bottle: 1
-/-
94% Cabernet Sauvingon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% merlot, 1% Malbec
The wine is fruit forward, ripe black fruit, smoky, vanilla, finesse, oaky
Palate is dense, with sweet notes, vanilla, shows spice notes, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, med body, med finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (2,637 views)
2 comments have been posted
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (2,637 views)
Comment posted by Winechat63:
10/29/2023 7:21:00 PM - What the heck is this comment??? Did you like the wine?
Comment posted by kostaslonis:
10/30/2023 2:01:00 AM - I do apologise for such a lengthy description of the wine, but since we were given the details, I thought I should share them.
The wine was as described - and if I may add - and as expected. Big and bold, very ripe and very much in the style of this label, fresh, ripe, with a lot of oak derived flavors.
Those were 4 long days with wines everywhere to taste, so I went robo - mode and kept taking notes