Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Pastorale Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is classic JP Quarter Moon.

The 18 has nice evolution while holding its vineyard characters. It shows medium dark fruits; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, nicely layered spice & baking spices, mid red flowers, excellent acidity and a finish that is elegant, well balanced-knitted and lasts 90 seconds.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! — 8 hours ago

Paul liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wulf Losee

9.6

2011 tasted April of 2021. While the flirtatious wines of Bordeaux will, with rare exceptions, betray my trust, I can always depend on Joseph Phelps to provide me with a solid bottle wine.

Year after year, no matter what the stresses of the vintage were, the wine makers at JP know how to produce perfectly balanced Cabs and Cab blends (but they’re not as successful with the non-Cab varietals).

This bottle of JP’s Cab is decade old, and it’s just hitting its stride. Lots of leather, rust, and a hint of mint on the nose. Ripe cherries and pomegranates on the front. The original velvety tannic balance has become just a wee bit tattered over the years. But this new-found roughness provides a youthful and boisterous counterpoint to the rest of the component that are entering a staid middle age (in wine years that is). It’s like your 45-year-old dad going wild and buying a Harley Davidson, then cruising off down the road. You say, “WTF! That’s is the way to live!” Lots of gravely high notes on the mid palate, but the old velvety tannins reassert themselves on the long finish. This is a damn lovely wine! — 5 years ago

Mike and leon liked this