Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, oak and floral spice notes on this Joe Wagner creation. On the palate blackberry and cherry currant flavors with hints of cedar and leather, adding some herb notes. Fine chalky tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a filet! Well done Joe! — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased former cattle ranch near St. Helena in Napa, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on 8 estate vineyards. Blend of 87% Cab Sauv, 5% Merlot, & rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cab Franc. Aromas of dried berry fruits and cedar spice. Sat in oak for 18 months 45% new, the palate shows blackberry and cherry flavors, cacao and oaky herb tones. Firm tannins, long finish ending smooth with fruit, tobacco and mineral notes. Still has room to age. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.6

After an epic lunch from @joe leatherwood , a few of us got together for a socially-distanced evening hosted by @Keith Fisher to keep the party going.

After the 2012 Harlan at lunch, Keith decided to continue with the theme with an ‘06. Unbelievably smooth and balanced while still retaining power. Aromatically it is very black fruit dominant...blackberries, cassis, sweet tar/pipe tobacco, graphite and channeling just a touch of bay leaf. Waves of flavor on the palate of smoked meat, creme de cassis, currant, mocha, baking spices and a supremely balanced finish. At this point in its evolution, it’s reminiscent of a high end bordeaux from a warm/ripe vintage. A total treat. — 6 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Shay A

9.4

I was surprised when I realized I’d never had anything from Lewelling. I know of their quality and hear praise often about them, so I was very excited when @joe leatherwood brought this down to open.

Even in ‘06, this was sporting 15.3ABV! To their credit, it doesn’t come across hot at all. Blend of French and American oak, but I didn’t detect the American oak. Very aromatic, showing ripe and candied black cherry, sandalwood, baking spices and red licorice. Nicely integrated on the palate...juicy without being a fruit bomb. Chocolate dipped cherries, espresso and towards their finish there is a mint-like flavor. Very good. — 7 years ago

with joe and Jason

Shay A

9.2

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee. Incredible hosting by Joe. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine, all tasted blind.

This really epitomized CdP. I called it 10yr old CdP. The black pepper has died down and integrated well with the spicy red fruit and underripe black fruit. Hint of tart/iron, but overall, this was really smooth. No problem open and enjoying these now. — 7 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 3 others

B

10

1987 Richebourg. Dinner w JW & AC at Cap. K was worried since this was on “off vintage.” Didn’t decant. Poured in glass and it was just really thin. However, as the night progressed, this drank really, really well and the wine totally transformed. Both Joe and K said they want to buy more. — 8 years ago

Michael Seely

9.6

Outstanding. With Joe and Steve Santa Fe — 8 years ago

with Joe

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — 2 years ago

President Obama

9.6

$81 @ Domestique — 5 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.6

Today was a reason to celebrate, my good friend was promoted to MD at the Big 4. Well deserved, Joe! This bottle is amazing - loads of minerality with lemon zest, lemon curd and a hint of butterscotch (although, the butterscotch may be the influence of the subsequent rating/bottle; Meursault-Perrier’s 1997) — 6 years ago

with ADAM and Joe

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner is a 4th generation winemaker from a family with farming and winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry and ripe blackberry with sweet oak, cacao and espresso notes. Soft fine tannins perfect acidity and balance long finish ending with mineral character. Nice! A Fav! — 6 years ago

Ali Casassa

9.0

A good go-to, delicious rose. — 7 years ago

Rob Mullen

9.2

Another bottle of funky, bacon-y deliciousness. Thank you Joe Davis — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.6

As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

One of the oldest SQNs I’ve ever had, and as expected, it was still incredibly young and vibrant. The power that Manfred’s Syrah have has mellowed, but the flavor profile is still very much impressive with baked red and black fruit pies, sweet cherry, and savory spice. This got darker towards the finish with a roasted plum note. Simply incredible. Awesome bottle, @Joe Lucca . — 8 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Martin G Rivard

9.4

This will take a bunch of you by surprise but this is my absolute first bottle of 2012 edge Hill Bacigaluppi that did not literally blow my mind! I consider this one of the top five Chardonnays that I have ever had from Napa and I’ve had a lot of Chardonnays from Napa! It was not Corked but definitely fell 100% flat tonight. No depth, no structure simply fruit. I had friends at the house and was trying to impress them But literally threw this bottle down the drain and open to something else. Oh well, shit happens as they say! @David L @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Mike R @Ron R @Howard Greenfield @Shay A — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Nice! A Fav! — 3 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.3

Blackberry, plum fruit and aromas of spring flowers are supported by a subtle touch of road tar and graphite in the airy nose.
Palate is a great combo of red and black fruits with precise mineral tone, lithe tannins supported by vibrant acidity. Plum minerals and freshness lead the way on the finish. One of the freshest St Joe expressions I have had from the domaine. Shares a lot of vintage dna with their 2011 L’Ermitage Rouge. Drink now for its bright fruit but based on the wines balance I see upside over the next 3 to 5 years. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Virtual tasting with Texture Wines and winemaker Erich Bradley. Big thanks to @Joe Lucca for setting it up.

Anderson Valley fruit. A blend of Ferrington Vineyard and Deer Meadows. Somewhat surprising is that this is 100% destemmed. Based on how the Lucky Well chardonnay was so old world in style, I’d assume some whole cluster or stem inclusion, but based on vineyard location, they feel like the tannin can be easier to achieve and there is no need to increase.

I only gave this about a 30min bottle decant and while it was approachable, it was significantly better at the 3+hr mark. Initially, it was driven by a slightly syrupy/maple richness that seemed out of place. It dominated the other aspects (candied black cherries, potpourri, baking spices) but eventually yielded to a more lifted profile and added black pepper spice. Day two picked up where day one ended showing a more elegant and spice driven profile. I’d say this probably won’t get much better, but definitely give it some air. — 6 years ago

with Ron, Shawn and 6 others

Shay A

9.6

An absolutely stunning lunch from @joe leatherwood today. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

In. The. Zone. The first of five mind blowing reds. This, to me, epitomizes first growth version of Bordeaux. In fact, I called this Napa royalty style first growth style. It is dusty and just starting to channel some herbal and leather notes, but the density and purity/softness of the fruit (still quite dark, hint of red fruit), scream older Napa Cab. Added notes of fig, leafy tobacco, and truffled dark cocoa. Wonderful! — 7 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Shay A

9.5

WNH event number two. Rhône varietal wines with TX BBQ...a match made in Heaven!

A true treat to try this next to the Clape Cornas. More fruit forward here with a darker fruit profile...even some blueberries. Heavier mouthfeel than the Clape. Smoked cedar, peppercorn. This wine in 5yrs or so would likely be incredible! Loved this. Thanks @Joe Lucca . — 8 years ago

with Mike, David and 4 others