In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth; people speak the truth when they are drunk), bottle #143 of my cellar sacrifices. A 1995 Joseph Phelps Magnum of Napa Cab. At 26 years young, this wine was fantastic! Deep in color and still retained its fruit, it was a smooth cab that everyone enjoyed. Hand-carried from a trip to Napa that finally paid off.🍷🍷🍷👍👍 👍 #wine #winelover #winelovers #josephphelps #josephphelpswinery #napawine #napa #napavalley #redblend #redblendwine #cabernetsauvignon #napacab
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From magnum. Double decanted five hours before service. Still dark red. Nose shows black olives, cassis, and leather. The acid is very tame, allowing all the sweet fruit to come out. Lots of raspberries and strawberries with very mild tannins. In this format, another 5 years of great drinking.
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My all-time favorite wine (puts the '89 Cos a notch behind). And regrettably my last bottle. I've never been disappointed with this bottling and have followed it's evolution over the last 20 years, consuming at least 12 bottles. It is one of those wines that when I run out, I have to find more - purchasing at retail and auction in 3-4 bottle lots to keep some stock. Such great texture and aroma, in the mouth it is velvet. Even at this age, there is sufficient fruit. Now I need to find a few more....
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Bonnie raved over this one! We were unsure how a mid range '95 cab would drink, but it was great. Only thing we learned through the experience was that it was like watching a full moon rise, it is huge as it comes up over the horizon, but before you know it it's much smaller and not as inspiring. Thinking an hour in carafe and drink over the next hour or so.
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Silky smooth and lovely - not a blockbuster wine, but delicious and elegant. Perfect with a nice New York strip steak. I have five more 750s and two magnums - I'll be drinking the 750s regularly over the next few months.
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Garnet color. Aromas of tea leaf, red currants and earth. Flavors of black currants, blackberry and earth. Develops a wonderful note of tobacco, along with cedar and herbs. Lovely; showing very well. Bordeaux-like. 90+ pts.
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Let it breath for 1/3 hour. Started to come to life. Still had a little tannin and ended with a smooth, somewhat fruity and moderate in length finish. I was expecting very little, but really enjoyed this wine. Commend the wine maker for a fabulous 17 year old wine.
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drank in vegas alongside a '94 Whitehall Lane Morisolli and a '90 Lafon Clos des Chenes... this held it's own but wasn't as good as i remember the previous bottles to be, fruit was in balance with the cedar/spice/green elements.. prior bottles were more about the fruit... liked this but not as exciting as i had hoped / remembered
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Brought by Allred. Red with a brownish rim. Drank this over 2 days. This 17 year old cab was creamy. Notes of black cherry and charcoal. Medium body. 90-91 points.
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The cork literally fell apart on this one and I ended up with a lot of it in the bottle. But the wine was really good. Nice and earthy with a nice cherry and dark fruit flavor. Very smooth tannins, a great wine.
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Smooth and silky. Medium-bodied with nice cherry and currant fruit. Just a touch of earth. Mature and drinking absolutley beautifully right now. Restores my faith in Napa cabs.
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Agree with the prior note -- very smooth -- tannins are very much in the background -- and does have a bordeaux likeness too it. Enjoyed it. Noticed considerable oxidation at the cork. Hopefully not a bad sign as I have several more bottles left
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This bottle was at its best -- the tannins have smothed into a silky texture and the wine was sophistaicated with subtle but yummy flavors. It was a great bottle to cut the fat of a NY Strip.
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Really in a perfect pitch! Great flavor, deep, rich with notes of cassis. I am just lovin' this wine! Sadly, the last of 1/2 a case...and a great testament to the Phelps estate.
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This wine has aged well -- the tannins have softened considerably and the basic flavors of thw wine are shining through. The wine now settled in had flavors of dark berries and a distinct earthy / smokiness to it. If you are looking for a fruit bomb -- go somewhere else this wine is in its elegant years. Drink now as I do not think this hsa much more.
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Still some lingering tannins - a great blend of tannins, red fruits and dark fruits bringing a tremendous depth to this bottle. I would drink now, as while there were no bad signs, the wine is tiring just a little.
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Opened into decanter 30min ahead of consuming...aged cab charactericistics immediately but pleasantly so. Opened with 95 Shafer cab...which has aged more slowly and is a bit more complex and rustic. Phelps was quite feminine at this point...enjoyable but subtle. If you have, look to consume over the next couple of years.
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Despite a long decanting, had a real port like taste on Day One. As it opened up throughout the evening, the wine pick up nice full characteristics, tannins appeared, and overall a very nice wine.
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We brought this to Tilth, an organic restaurant in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. We dined on an amuse bouche of snow crab bisque, then sequed to a pork belly that was almost like foie gras. The freshest carrot soup I have ever had followed lotsa cream and butter that Julia Child would have been proud to eat. Next, we had a slice of salmon with a crispy skin that rivaled any we have cooked (we normally never order salmon as we eat it weekly at home). Next was a pair of duck burgers that stole the show. Just amazingly tasty and fun to eat in a burger format.
On to the Phelps: Wow--what a wine this turned out to be! Brillilant notes of pencil shavings, fine tannins and sweet fruit throughout. It was just spot on and in an excellent range of maturity. I will drink my remaining bottles in the next 18 months.
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Nothing, nothing, nothing wrong with this fine Napa CaliCab...! The nose was an expected sumptuous...the wine smooth and long...the longer the bottle was open, the better the experience. If you can find this wine, buy it and enjoy.
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Saturday night: a very reticent wine, not open, somewhat tart and acidic. After dinner I did not pump, but did re-cork.
Last night (Sunday) we polished off the bottle--what a difference! Silky, full bodied, velvet like and very pleasureable to drink. This is what fine wine is all about. Just great with chicken and morels in cream sauce.
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Good core of solid Napa fruit. The tannins meld well; the wine is lacking oomph like it's big brother--but at half the money, who is complaining. Paired well with flank steak one night and a tuscan chicken dish the next. Fresh, drinking well and likely plateauing. A solid effort from a consistant and (personal favorite) historied California winery.
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Initially this wine neither smelled nor tasted like anything. Eventually it started to unwind a bit - it may be emerging from a dumb phase, and, as such, is taking a while to open up. After being open for an hour, however, the aroma starts to emerge - cedar, sage, dark berries. On the palate there are concentrated amounts of currant, dark berries, and hints of licorice. I think it should be decanted a minimum of 1 hour prior to tasting at this stage of development.
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4/15/2023 - AllRed wrote:
Double decanted off its sediment and poured a couple of hours later. Leather and plum; drinking very well.
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6/25/2021 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 92 Points
From my posting on Instagram:
In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth; people speak the truth when they are drunk), bottle #143 of my cellar sacrifices. A 1995 Joseph Phelps Magnum of Napa Cab. At 26 years young, this wine was fantastic! Deep in color and still retained its fruit, it was a smooth cab that everyone enjoyed. Hand-carried from a trip to Napa that finally paid off.🍷🍷🍷👍👍 👍 #wine #winelover #winelovers #josephphelps #josephphelpswinery #napawine #napa #napavalley
#redblend #redblendwine
#cabernetsauvignon #napacab
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12/31/2018 - mikkelmarius Does not like this wine: 80 Points
From 750ml bottle. Definitely way past its prime. Drink five years ago.
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9/20/2017 - Border Boss Likes this wine: 90 Points
From magnum. Double decanted five hours before service. Still dark red. Nose shows black olives, cassis, and leather. The acid is very tame, allowing all the sweet fruit to come out. Lots of raspberries and strawberries with very mild tannins. In this format, another 5 years of great drinking.
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9/5/2017 - JOEABR wrote: 94 Points
My all-time favorite wine (puts the '89 Cos a notch behind). And regrettably my last bottle. I've never been disappointed with this bottling and have followed it's evolution over the last 20 years, consuming at least 12 bottles. It is one of those wines that when I run out, I have to find more - purchasing at retail and auction in 3-4 bottle lots to keep some stock. Such great texture and aroma, in the mouth it is velvet. Even at this age, there is sufficient fruit. Now I need to find a few more....
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2/15/2015 - ljl wrote: 92 Points
Very Dark, good fruit. Spicy and fruity. Still very drinkable
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8/6/2014 - sstoloff wrote: 92 Points
Still excellent, probably underrated in my previous note. Followed a 1997 La Jota Cab. and gave it a run.
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1/17/2014 - Tim and Bonnie wrote: 92 Points
Bonnie raved over this one! We were unsure how a mid range '95 cab would drink, but it was great. Only thing we learned through the experience was that it was like watching a full moon rise, it is huge as it comes up over the horizon, but before you know it it's much smaller and not as inspiring. Thinking an hour in carafe and drink over the next hour or so.
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11/26/2013 - eniskonuk wrote: 92 Points
- Garnet color. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of strawberry jam and raisin with a medium body. Polished texture with a medium finish.
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11/22/2013 - rsprouse Likes this wine: 92 Points
Silky smooth and lovely - not a blockbuster wine, but delicious and elegant. Perfect with a nice New York strip steak. I have five more 750s and two magnums - I'll be drinking the 750s regularly over the next few months.
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9/28/2013 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Garnet color. Aromas of tea leaf, red currants and earth. Flavors of black currants, blackberry and earth. Develops a wonderful note of tobacco, along with cedar and herbs. Lovely; showing very well. Bordeaux-like. 90+ pts.
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5/25/2013 - Steve9134 Likes this wine: 91 Points
The wine looks Violet colored. It smells like Cedar, and Tea. The body is Medium. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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9/30/2012 - FJhajduk Likes this wine: 88 Points
Let it breath for 1/3 hour. Started to come to life. Still had a little tannin and ended with a smooth, somewhat fruity and moderate in length finish. I was expecting very little, but really enjoyed this wine. Commend the wine maker for a fabulous 17 year old wine.
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6/4/2012 - dahub Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic aging - mellow fruit
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4/29/2012 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 90 Points
drank in vegas alongside a '94 Whitehall Lane Morisolli and a '90 Lafon Clos des Chenes... this held it's own but wasn't as good as i remember the previous bottles to be, fruit was in balance with the cedar/spice/green elements.. prior bottles were more about the fruit... liked this but not as exciting as i had hoped / remembered
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3/31/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
Brought by Allred. Red with a brownish rim. Drank this over 2 days. This 17 year old cab was creamy. Notes of black cherry and charcoal. Medium body. 90-91 points.
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3/30/2012 - AllRed wrote: 87 Points
Notes of black fruit, plum, leather, tobacco and cedar. Medium-bodied; flavors of leather and cedar, with earthy undertones. The fruit has faded.
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10/9/2011 - eniskonuk wrote: 92 Points
- Aromas of raisin and has flavours of mushroom and raisin.
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4/2/2011 - rwatkin wrote: 92 Points
I second every word of the review by Julie DHS--my cork even also fell apar! This is a beautiful earthy Cab to drink now.
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2/20/2011 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 92 Points
The cork literally fell apart on this one and I ended up with a lot of it in the bottle. But the wine was really good. Nice and earthy with a nice cherry and dark fruit flavor. Very smooth tannins, a great wine.
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1/16/2010 - kmack wrote:
Smooth and silky. Medium-bodied with nice cherry and currant fruit. Just a touch of earth. Mature and drinking absolutley beautifully right now. Restores my faith in Napa cabs.
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12/19/2009 - FozMonster wrote:
pretty average...expected more
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2/20/2009 - blard wrote: 91 Points
Agree with the prior note -- very smooth -- tannins are very much in the background -- and does have a bordeaux likeness too it. Enjoyed it. Noticed considerable oxidation at the cork. Hopefully not a bad sign as I have several more bottles left
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1/24/2009 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was at its best -- the tannins have smothed into a silky texture and the wine was sophistaicated with subtle but yummy flavors. It was a great bottle to cut the fat of a NY Strip.
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1/9/2009 - sstoloff wrote: 90 Points
Surprised at how good this was. Dark cherry, graphite, earth, some smoke. A nice reserved Bordeaux quality; I think it's still in its prime.
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11/16/2008 - BradA wrote: 92 Points
popped for Sunday lunch with leftover cassoulet.
Really in a perfect pitch! Great flavor, deep, rich with notes of cassis. I am just lovin' this wine! Sadly, the last of 1/2 a case...and a great testament to the Phelps estate.
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4/12/2008 - ptmantb wrote: 89 Points
Nice Complex with good layers of flavor. A little soft for a '95 Napa Cab
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3/22/2008 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 89 Points
This wine has aged well -- the tannins have softened considerably and the basic flavors of thw wine are shining through. The wine now settled in had flavors of dark berries and a distinct earthy / smokiness to it. If you are looking for a fruit bomb -- go somewhere else this wine is in its elegant years. Drink now as I do not think this hsa much more.
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3/17/2008 - Mallards wrote: 89 Points
Still some lingering tannins - a great blend of tannins, red fruits and dark fruits bringing a tremendous depth to this bottle. I would drink now, as while there were no bad signs, the wine is tiring just a little.
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2/20/2008 - cookie7 wrote:
This one has aged very well. Great wine.
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12/9/2007 - JBVino wrote:
Opened into decanter 30min ahead of consuming...aged cab charactericistics immediately but pleasantly so. Opened with 95 Shafer cab...which has aged more slowly and is a bit more complex and rustic. Phelps was quite feminine at this point...enjoyable but subtle. If you have, look to consume over the next couple of years.
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5/19/2007 - the godfather wrote: 90 Points
Tasted blind, everyone thought this was Bordeaux. Very complex nose and stll a dark wine. Lot's of cedar cedar and earth in the mouth.
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4/22/2007 - Mallards wrote: 90 Points
Despite a long decanting, had a real port like taste on Day One. As it opened up throughout the evening, the wine pick up nice full characteristics, tannins appeared, and overall a very nice wine.
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1/7/2007 - BradA wrote: 91 Points
We brought this to Tilth, an organic restaurant in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. We dined on an amuse bouche of snow crab bisque, then sequed to a pork belly that was almost like foie gras. The freshest carrot soup I have ever had followed lotsa cream and butter that Julia Child would have been proud to eat.
Next, we had a slice of salmon with a crispy skin that rivaled any we have cooked (we normally never order salmon as we eat it weekly at home). Next was a pair of duck burgers that stole the show. Just amazingly tasty and fun to eat in a burger format.
On to the Phelps: Wow--what a wine this turned out to be! Brillilant notes of pencil shavings, fine tannins and sweet fruit throughout. It was just spot on and in an excellent range of maturity. I will drink my remaining bottles in the next 18 months.
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8/18/2006 - TinMan wrote: 93 Points
Nothing, nothing, nothing wrong with this fine Napa CaliCab...! The nose was an expected sumptuous...the wine smooth and long...the longer the bottle was open, the better the experience. If you can find this wine, buy it and enjoy.
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4/9/2006 - Baggio wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. 3.5 hours breathing in advance. Hard to see this wine getting better.
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11/7/2005 - BradA wrote: 91 Points
Saturday night: a very reticent wine, not open, somewhat tart and acidic. After dinner I did not pump, but did re-cork.
Last night (Sunday) we polished off the bottle--what a difference! Silky, full bodied, velvet like and very pleasureable to drink. This is what fine wine is all about. Just great with chicken and morels in cream sauce.
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2/1/2005 - BradA wrote: 89 Points
Good core of solid Napa fruit. The tannins meld well; the wine is lacking oomph like it's big brother--but at half the money, who is complaining. Paired well with flank steak one night and a tuscan chicken dish the next. Fresh, drinking well and likely plateauing. A solid effort from a consistant and (personal favorite) historied California winery.
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10/26/2004 - MarkC wrote: 89 Points
The rating is really an "89?"
Initially this wine neither smelled nor tasted like anything. Eventually it started to unwind a bit - it may be emerging from a dumb phase, and, as such, is taking a while to open up. After being open for an hour, however, the aroma starts to emerge - cedar, sage, dark berries. On the palate there are concentrated amounts of currant, dark berries, and hints of licorice. I think it should be decanted a minimum of 1 hour prior to tasting at this stage of development.
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7/28/2003 - spidersva wrote:
Drank w/coworker in Roanoke at Billy's Ritz…so smooth, yet significant depth
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