Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

WA Cab Franc. Might be my first. Smells strange and lovely. Wet earth, aka mud, and dark fruits. Hints of smoke and meats. Even smoked meats. Flavors are robust and extracted. Very full. Nice deepness to the fruit and smoke flavors. This is New World Bordeaux type wine at its best. — 5 years ago

Hannah Fyson

9.1

Very nice, 2017 — 5 years ago

October Cleveland

9.0

Don’t know how this one escaped my attention for so long, but I get why it’s so well loved. Ridiculous QPR. At the risk of both revealing my ignorance and offending everyone, I reckon this is the drink Stanley Dry White cask (a seminal drop in my existence, and fellow Australian cheapo icon) aspires to be. Whistle-clean citrusy drinker with intensity right round the edges. Cellaring a few of these from now on. — 6 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.4

Such a contrast to 2016! 2014 was warmer and with 2 more years of bottle age, the wine is more fruit forward, more opulent and more balanced against the brooding, spicy character of Gibbston. Fabulous! — 7 years ago

with Rocket

Bob McDonald

9.7

Probably the WOTN for me as I didn’t subscribe to the Exceptional category this time. This is in the Outstanding category. From ancient pre phylloxera Shiraz vines dating back to 1860. Medium bodied with incredible intensity and length. Marvellous. — 7 years ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Really nice. Bigger than the Gravelly meadow and Red Rock Terrace, without the acidity. But still better than 90% of the bottles in Napa. — 9 years ago

Julie Stahl

9.1

Enjoyed this while on the North Shore with family. Loved by all! — 9 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.1

Just a good wine. Grandfather collected Rafanelli from the mid 90’s till Mississippi cracked down on shipping wine to the state in 2010. Brought a couple bottles back for him from Texas. While I attribute the 1998 Terrace Select Cab as the wine that really got me into wine, I overall still lean towards their Zin’s. — 5 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Revisiting vintage, last bottle, Oregon-based winemaker, wine from his “offseason” making wines in New Zealand — 6 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.1

Very interesting wine, aged well, — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.

Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.

Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.

Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

Made an impromptu stop at Stonestreet the last time we were in Napa/Sonoma. Had a little unexpected time between tastings. Man it was sure HOT when we were there in September. I remember the estate was in great condition. Beautiful scenery and some of the views from eastern Healdsburg and Geyserville are hard to beat. It was about 95 degrees AT THE WINERY in the middle of a Napa heat wave. This wine hit the spot. A nice, crisp, lighter bodied wine with a crisp side to it, yet didn't feel as though your tongue was burning. Edges on this one were rounded even from the start. More of a lemon curd, but also some lime and honeysuckle. Middle had good weight, a little silkier than I had anticipated. The finish is lighter, mostly lemon and lime. Not a powerhouse, but was really nice on that 95 degree September "summer" day in Healdsburg, and pretty darn good tonight. — 8 years ago

Carol Kellett

9.1

better than OK :) — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 5 years ago

with Christina and James

Dimes

9.0

Was pleasantly surprised since Washington wines tend to be a little more earthier and excellent soil than I like — 6 years ago

Marion

9.3

Fruity and fresh, well balanced!
Great value — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 2015 Napa has a much more expressive nose than previous vintages. The mid red fruits are brighter and more dominant. Ripe; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, black raspberries and blueberry hues. Good presence of vanilla, cinnamon, very light clove, limestone, dark turned, rich earth, light dry crushed rocks, soft leather, blue florals and fresh red & blue florals.

The body is also much lighter in the 15 than other vintages. It’s still very fresh. At this stage, it’s like a well extracted Pinot. Ripe; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, black raspberries and blueberry hues. Good presence of vanilla, cinnamon, very light clove, limestone, dry clay, stems, mint, Provence fresh herbs, dark turned, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, soft leather, blue florals and fresh red & blue florals. The acidity is light a waterfall. The finish is bright fruit that is well balanced with earth. However, as it cellars, I predict this wine with flush out, put on weight and gain complexity. Much better palate experiences 10-15 years plus down the road for this 15 Napa.

Photos of, the terrace view from JPV’s visitors center, the JPV annual members party small bites, the lounge area in their visitor center and estate vineyard off their terrace.
— 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

This is from the Waipara Valley in Canterbury just north of Christchurch and not to be confused with Wairarapa just north of Wellington in Martinborough. Must try more Pinots from this region. Not as full bodied as Otago being more minerally from the Gravel soils. — 9 years ago

David Madison

9.0

Delightful with Mediterranean food — 9 years ago