Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
As I have said many times before, I love these old 90’s Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernets. 1994 was the last vintage Phelps used this label. #oldschool
13.7 ABV. A little higher than expected for this era but way better than 15+.
The nose fruits show that light brickish flare-a touch baked & hints of being stewed, yet still beautifully ripe. Softened, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum & dark cherries, some raspberries & blueberry hues. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, sweet, moist, volcanic clays, light graphite, bright, red, dark, blue florals with a hue of violets.
The fruits in this 93 are still very sound/solid & fresh. It senses just waning from its peak. It’s beautiful, elegant w/ perfect evolution. Glides over the palate, nothing bitty. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, cherries, shades of freshly baked rhubarb & blueberry w/ hues of raspberries. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, amazing softened dark spice with some palate heat, dry herb mix, soft baking spice-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, understated caramel notes, vanillin. Steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, light, gentle graphite, dry top soils, dry limestone powder, red, dark, blue florals, red roses with a hue of violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with perfect balance-structure, elegant & softly polished finish that last minutes and lands on softened earth tones & Indian/Asian spices.
I had many 90’s Phelps Napa Cabernets & this might be the most memorable for its tireless age at 32 yrs & style. Amazing treat. Really good with the Ribcap. Sublime.
Amazingly, next to no sediment.
As I have said many times before, I love these old 90’s Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernets. 1994 was the last vintage Phelps used this label. #oldschool
13.7 ABV. A little higher than expected for this era but way better than 15+.
The nose fruits show that light brickish flare-a touch baked & hints of being stewed, yet still beautifully ripe. Softened, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum & dark cherries, some raspberries & blueberry hues. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, sweet, moist, volcanic clays, light graphite, bright, red, dark, blue florals with a hue of violets.
The fruits in this 93 are still very sound/solid & fresh. It senses just waning from its peak. It’s beautiful, elegant w/ perfect evolution. Glides over the palate, nothing bitty. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, cherries, shades of freshly baked rhubarb & blueberry w/ hues of raspberries. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, amazing softened dark spice with some palate heat, dry herb mix, soft baking spice-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, understated caramel notes, vanillin. Steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, light, gentle graphite, dry top soils, dry limestone powder, red, dark, blue florals, red roses with a hue of violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with perfect balance-structure, elegant & softly polished finish that last minutes and lands on softened earth tones & Indian/Asian spices.
I had many 90’s Phelps Napa Cabernets & this might be the most memorable for its tireless age at 32 yrs & style. Amazing treat. Really good with the Ribcap. Sublime.
Amazingly, next to no sediment.
Simply world class eye roller stuff.
Simply world class eye roller stuff.
Nov 5th, 2016The original label from Phelps. This wine qualifies as the reason you age wine as long as you do. The tannins are still there yet only 95% resolved even after 23 years or 21 in bottle. The wine melts in your mouth. There's nothing angular or rubs your palate the wrong way. The fruits are still dark cassis; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, melted mocha milk chocolate, raspberry chocolate cake, dry crushed rocks, spice-box, dry florals, old leather, vanilla, it's crazy but there's a hit of baked peach coming through, there is still a little tension, it's still showing great balance, structure, length, acidity and a finish that does not end. This wine still has 3-5+ years of life even out of 750ml. It's one of the best old Phelps I've had in awhile and I've recently had a number of old Insignia's and Backus's from the 80's and 90's. Given what I paid for this wine, I feel like I've stolen candy from a baby and then some. The purity is incredible if not just plain ridiculous!!! This 93 is sunlight in the rain w/ a rainbow.
The original label from Phelps. This wine qualifies as the reason you age wine as long as you do. The tannins are still there yet only 95% resolved even after 23 years or 21 in bottle. The wine melts in your mouth. There's nothing angular or rubs your palate the wrong way. The fruits are still dark cassis; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, melted mocha milk chocolate, raspberry chocolate cake, dry crushed rocks, spice-box, dry florals, old leather, vanilla, it's crazy but there's a hit of baked peach coming through, there is still a little tension, it's still showing great balance, structure, length, acidity and a finish that does not end. This wine still has 3-5+ years of life even out of 750ml. It's one of the best old Phelps I've had in awhile and I've recently had a number of old Insignia's and Backus's from the 80's and 90's. Given what I paid for this wine, I feel like I've stolen candy from a baby and then some. The purity is incredible if not just plain ridiculous!!! This 93 is sunlight in the rain w/ a rainbow.
Oct 29th, 2016
Elegant and herbaceous with red berries and tight yet almost resolved tannins. Fresh acidity and clever oak treatment, this is beautifully mature and tastes more Bordeaux-ish than Napa. Stylish.
Elegant and herbaceous with red berries and tight yet almost resolved tannins. Fresh acidity and clever oak treatment, this is beautifully mature and tastes more Bordeaux-ish than Napa. Stylish.
Jan 11th, 2016
20+ years old but up nicely, offering leather, spice, brown sugar and loamy earth additions. I admit in being impressed here.
20+ years old but up nicely, offering leather, spice, brown sugar and loamy earth additions. I admit in being impressed here.
Oct 30th, 2015