David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute. — 18 days ago

Willie Carter

9.8

What a superb wine, first and foremost. Just so beautiful and powerful. A deep, dark burgundy color in the glass. The nose is pure and alive with cherries and blackberries initially. Oak, as ever, along with a slight hint of vanilla and earth. Really pretty floral notes which accentuates the total package.

Terrific depth and balance here. Every now and again Napa reminds you of what it can really be. Very modern and elegant with so much personality. Everything here is restrained and refined. The fruit on the palate is dramatic and fresh. Vibrant red fruit with the customary woodsy elements. A touch of tobacco and well integrated smoke just for good measure. The finish is long and lusty and leaves you wanting more. Made for the long run for sure but so delicious now. A true gem of a wine. — 7 days ago

Ira Schwartz

9.6

Tasting group meet up with many of the regulars not able to attend . I knew the organizer invited someone whom we had not tasted with in about 15 years . He certainly made an entrance bringing this, in magnum no less. When poured it showed a fine mousse but it faded quickly. A very broad nose that hinted of some age. In the mouth it was like a sports car traveling a highway. Almond , brioche and some oxidative notes sped thru my mouth. The flavors accelerated only to linger similar to when you take your foot off the accelerator. Coasted effortlessly with no need to step on the brakes — 22 days ago

Garen Staglin

9.4

In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go. — 3 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Fun to open birth year wines around your birthday, especially when you can do a Bordeaux and Napa side by side. While not a great vintage, this held up well after a few hours and presented as expected. Clean and zero Brett. Great color! Deep ruby with hardly any bricking. Leather, cassis, vanilla pipe tobacco on the nose. Sporting a good bit of dusty red and black fruits (mostly tart raspberries and blackberries), there was a little savory truffle note mixed with an herbal and mocha finish. Still quite grippy. Pretty. — 6 days ago

Freek Welter

10

Drinking, not tasting! Late release grande cuvee, vintage unknown, but somewhere between 1967 and 1981 — 13 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had lots of rich dark berry fruit with notes of graphite, sweet, savory spice, cedar, leather & tobacco — 6 days ago

Adolf Kristjansson

9.0

Very good Malbec. — 14 days ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Almost perfect. Stewed fruit, great bitterness, extremely round and perfect tannins. Close to a grand cru burgundy in a good year with 10-15 years of age. — 5 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Garnet core , terracotta rim . Spiced red fruit undergrowth , touch of brown sugar , grafite , tobacco , dried mushroom, touch of smoke . On the palate quite elegant red fruited , dried cranberry , red currant , still very much alive , just enough acidity. Slightly short on the finish , but with a round palate and a slightly sweet , brown sugar tinged finish . Still very much alive and enjoyable . Better than expected — 8 days ago