David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; liqueur style blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, baked strawberries, sweet spice, vanilla, wood shavings, dark, rich, moist soil, crushed, dry rocks, violets and fragrant, fresh, dark florals. The palate is medium bodied and the tannins are nicely resolved and round. The fruits are also liqueur is style. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, baked strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Sweet, soft leather, lead pencil, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, soft spice-box, understated herbal notes, rich, moist, dark soil, crushed rocks, a touch of bramble, crumbled volcanic minerals, nice, soft, round acidity and a long, lush, fresh, elegant fruit finish that is 75% fruit and 25% earth. The 06 has plenty of life ahead of it...at least 10 years. I'm pretty sure this bottle was around $35 at Costco upon release. Photos of, the view from their tasting terrace, the legend/Napa maverick Joseph Phelps, terrace seating and interior shot of the remodeled estate. Producer notes...the winery was founded in 1973 by Napa wine pioneer, Joseph Phelps. Like a number of other vintners in the valley, Joseph came to wine from another industry. In the 1960’s he ran one of the largest construction companies based in the USA, Hensel Phelps Construction One of his projects was to work on building the BART system in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Joseph's transition into the winery business started with a banker informing him of several potential winery projects in Napa and Sonoma. One of the projects was to build Souverain Winery in Napa (now Rutherford Hill Winery). After that project Joseph became interested in purchasing his own property in the valley. He acquired 600+ acres. His first vintage of Insignia was 1974. Joseph Phelps began planting grapes – varieties such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. They ultimately discovered these grapes were not suited to the particular climate of this part of the valley and they changed over to other varietals...namely Bordeaux based red varieties.The first vintage of Joseph Phelps was made at Heitz Cellars. Sadly, Bill passed away in April 2015 at 87...may he rest in peace with a glass that never empties. All and all a good life I'd say. Today his son Bill Phelps is President of winery. Not that long after Joseph's passing, Joseph Phelps opened their remolded hospitality center (photos above) located in what was the original winery building. It's sad that Joseph did not live to see it's full completion and opening. The last 1/4 of glass or less from the bottom of the bottle which; is called "The Truth" was so rich, concentrated & beautiful, I was tempted to push the rating to 9.3/9.4.
— 7 years ago

Philippe Dauguet

9.9

Tout ce que l'on attend d'un grand Bourgogne : du fruit, de la finesse et de la profondeur ! — 9 years ago

Marty Winters

9.1

We opened two bottles of this an amazing study in the glass. "There are no good wines only good bottles" - Bart Araujo — 9 years ago

Mircea Dincă

9.5

Phenomenal sour stout. Not that I've drank many, but this is really something else. Long finish, very carbonated. Like Funk Metal with coffee. Reminds me if Bart Martell's butthole — 9 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

9.5

We bottled 190 cases of this today. Great nose full of rustic berries and that old world "je ne sais quoi?" Totally dug the mouthfeel. Lush and long finish. GREAT first wack at this style of wine. Good job Bart! — 9 years ago

Bob Barry

General Manager Winebow

10

Flawless. Still a baby. As Bart Scott said "Can't wait!" — 10 years ago

Christine Yasaitis

9.6

Mirjam returns to run the marathon w/Jochem, Bart & her parents at Trattoria Alba! — 11 years ago

Malia Sunshine

9.9

From Bart and Laura, super delicious dessert wine!! — 11 years ago

jerod peitsmeyer

9.2

life in the slow lane — 7 years ago

christina a love

9.2

A magnum from Bart Bielawski my godfather gifted to my Roy 25 years ago, the whole family enjoyed tonight. — 8 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.4

'03 was considered a down year in Napa Valley. Not true for this marvelous wine. Bart and Daphne should be proud of this marvelous Eisele Vineyards Cabernet. Such a Joy. A wine cellar is a necessity for those who want to have treasures like this at their peak. — 8 years ago

Qin Zhou

9.0

A satisfying wine without a lot of complexity. Pretty good varietal nose. — 8 years ago

Michael Descamps

9.0

So much more open than even a few months back. Ripe red cherry, strawberry seed, leather, dried rose petals, and sandalwood. An absolute standout Marsannay! — 9 years ago

Adam Baker

9.2

Very good with filet at summit club with Greg, Josh, and Bart. Although lighter than I remember for gattinara. — 9 years ago

Adam Baker

9.8

Drank at camp with dad, brad, Ryan h, josh M, Bart, and Andy. Brad cooked duck 2 ways and grits. 1/10/15. — 9 years ago

with Brud

Roberto Kalb

9.7

One of my favorites. Remarkable for the price. — 9 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.7

Nose like crushed wet granite, delicious refreshing palate like an unripe strawberry, tart cherry and copper a bit, watermelon juice. Very, very good rosé. Simple but not simple. Quite habit-forming. — 10 years ago

Gabi Gaúcha

9.7

Excelente! — 11 years ago

Malia Sunshine

9.5

Dinner with Evie Chris Laura and Bart — 11 years ago

Maria Pepe

9.4

On St Bart on Dec 20 for my bday. Magnum. Beautiful! — 7 years ago

Ewen

9.5

Là, c'était du lourd... mais il était temps de le boire ! — 8 years ago

Kevin Bohlin

9.0

2011 Vintage opened March 2016. Soft blue fruit and violets upfront with intense and rich earth and red/black fruit in the finish. The acid is intense and a quite angular. Second bottle was super rustic and much more angular not sure if it was me or the bottle...took a 9.3 down to a 9.0 — 8 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.5

This was a young and beautiful 2013. I liked it a lot. Just great. No oddities. — 8 years ago

Peter Tripp

9.1

Delicious enough that I pretended to be a BART wino to bring home the second half. — 9 years ago

Josh Bauer

9.4

Like sipping mineral water in a musty basement. A musty and delicious surprise! — 9 years ago

Pablo Anderson

9.8

Smooth; fruit and fresh wine. Bart Gift ;-) — 9 years ago

Adam Baker

9.6

Drank at camp with dad, brad, Ryan h, josh M, Bart, and Andy. Brad cooked duck 2 ways and grits. 1/10/15. — 9 years ago

with Brud

Eric Monné

9.2

2004 several years totally closed
So young today
Tension, energy, life — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.0

Rhonish- as Cinnamon damningly observed, but good, chunky dark fruit fun all the same. — 10 years ago

with Cleora

Richard Rynda

9.8

Another gift from God in the hands of Bart. Just wonderful. . — 11 years ago