Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.
Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.
The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.
This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.
Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap.
A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.
Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.
The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.
This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.
Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap.
Rockstar pull by @Mark Flesher ! Drinking extremely well almost at pop and pour. Dark fruits, cocoa dusted dates and earthy raspberries on the nose. Front palate and mid palate are still flaunting nice acidity. Finish is smooth and still in a nice window!
Rockstar pull by @Mark Flesher ! Drinking extremely well almost at pop and pour. Dark fruits, cocoa dusted dates and earthy raspberries on the nose. Front palate and mid palate are still flaunting nice acidity. Finish is smooth and still in a nice window!
Jul 26th, 2018It's mixed wild berries and spring dark fresh florals on the nose. The fruits are stewed; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black creamed raspberries, cooked strawberries pulling up the rear, milk & chocolate, underbrush, leather, tobacco ash, brown powdery dry soil with crushed rocks, light soft spice, dry roses, black tea, acidity is very nice as is the balance, structure holds up and finish is; ripe, juicy, elegant mixed berries. The finish lasts over a minute. If you are drinking JP Napa wines prior to 15 years of cellaring, you are missing their point/meaning/pleasure.
It's mixed wild berries and spring dark fresh florals on the nose. The fruits are stewed; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black creamed raspberries, cooked strawberries pulling up the rear, milk & chocolate, underbrush, leather, tobacco ash, brown powdery dry soil with crushed rocks, light soft spice, dry roses, black tea, acidity is very nice as is the balance, structure holds up and finish is; ripe, juicy, elegant mixed berries. The finish lasts over a minute. If you are drinking JP Napa wines prior to 15 years of cellaring, you are missing their point/meaning/pleasure.
Dec 26th, 2016This is my fourth bottle of their 99 vintage in a very short period. All have been radically different. This one is melted milk chocolate with a blend of dark cooked raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, tangy minerals, rich sweet black earth, sweet soft spice, vanilla, touch of dry grass and a finish you hope to have in all your wine. Drink your 99's now as they are not going to get better unless you like them on the thinned out prune/date side.
This is my fourth bottle of their 99 vintage in a very short period. All have been radically different. This one is melted milk chocolate with a blend of dark cooked raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, tangy minerals, rich sweet black earth, sweet soft spice, vanilla, touch of dry grass and a finish you hope to have in all your wine. Drink your 99's now as they are not going to get better unless you like them on the thinned out prune/date side.
Jun 25th, 2016Drink nicely. Good evolution in the bottle. Just a little past it's peak. Ripe baked blackberries, ripe blueberries, black raspberries, just a hint of strawberry compote. Star anise, soft minerals, black tea and sweet soft leather. Good rich finish but then falls a touch short on the long finish. The long finish improves after 45 minutes in the decanter.
Drink nicely. Good evolution in the bottle. Just a little past it's peak. Ripe baked blackberries, ripe blueberries, black raspberries, just a hint of strawberry compote. Star anise, soft minerals, black tea and sweet soft leather. Good rich finish but then falls a touch short on the long finish. The long finish improves after 45 minutes in the decanter.
Jun 10th, 2016
Fine, elegant, ripe fruits. Really enjoyable wine.
Fine, elegant, ripe fruits. Really enjoyable wine.
Sep 9th, 2014
Starting to thin but like an old Bordeaux.
Starting to thin but like an old Bordeaux.
Jun 20th, 2019
A special Cabernet that straddles the older and new style. Lots of improvement ahead.
A special Cabernet that straddles the older and new style. Lots of improvement ahead.
Apr 25th, 2015