Ted

9.4

Went to buy a wake surf board. The store didn’t have any but a wine shop was near by. Saw a TikTok about this and had to try. Still way too young. Has some of the green pepper but wow. Smooth tannins and gorgeous dark fruit. Hints of black licorice. Had a big ribeye so very happy now. — 2 days ago

with Jeni

Jay Kline

9.2

The fruit for "La Chapelle" is sourced predominantly from Le Méal and Bessards (with a little form Greffieux and Rocoules. Relative to the two Chave’s, the 1988 “La Chapelle” seems a bit more like a Hermitage fastball right down the middle of the plate. Desiccated mixed berries, olives, purple flowers, and minerals with a touch of ethyl acetate. Again a great pairing with grilled lamb and Moroccan spices. Vinous and drinking well now through 2035. — 3 months ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of deep purple with lighter shades on the rim. Nice tears. Nose of ample fragrance of currants. minty, vanilla, oaky, sweet note, and some more dark fruits. Taste is mouthful and chewy, quite sweet mixed with some spice, acidity, tart, strawberry, and some more vanilla. Aftertaste shows more strawberry, tangy, and a bit marginal tannin. On par. Like all the Freakshow wine, a bit too sweet for me. — 4 months ago

Chad Puckett

9.4

Sweet fruity and a great finish — 14 days ago

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. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

As Noël Verset started to divest in his vines, there were several producers who came away with some real treasures. The most famous was Franck Balthazar who was able to purchase Verset’s prized holdings in Chaillots. Perhaps less known is Auguste Clape also purchased some ex-Verset vines in the Sabarotte lieu-dit. The 1997 Clape pours a much deeper color, nearly opaque purple. Dense brambles with some black licorice, lavender pastilles and minerals. Somewhat reticent even at 25+ years old. The venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion helped coax this Clape from slumber though. Drinking well now but easily has the stuffing to see 2037 and possibly beyond. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Traditional Bordeaux style blend. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry jam, violets and toasted bread. Palate is full of jammy black currant/berry flavors with additional notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, blueberry, graphite and baking spices. Full bodied and juicy. Not overly complex but very well made. A bit more bottle age is necessary for the wine to calm down a bit. Thanks for sharing, Ron B! — 20 days ago

Anne Richardson

8.9

A very pleasant Pinot Noir! We enjoyed along with a meal and all on its own. Would buy it, again. Flavors of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. — 3 months ago

Robert Ahlstrom

8.9

Deep ruby/purple opaque, pepper, tobacco and red fruit, lovely Shiraz — 3 months ago

Kelsey Guenther

9.0

Good everyday table wine. Light in the glass, no legs. — 6 months ago