Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.330 ratings
9.17 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 04 Napa out of 6L.

On the nose, sweet, ripe, touch of fruit liqueur; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries and poached strawberries with hue of blue fruits on the glass edges. Light dark spice, vanilla, some black licorice, moist black earth, soft volcanic minerals, fresh purple florals and violets.

The body is medium. Tannins 50% resolved. Still showing a little austere. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries with hue of blue fruits on the glass edges. Light dark spice, vanilla, some black licorice, moist black earth, more gritty volcanic minerals than the nose, herbal notes, used leather, dry stems & underbrush, fresh purple florals and violets. Nice acidity and a beautiful finish in progress. Out of 6 liter, this still needs time to develop.

The 04 Napa out of 6L.

On the nose, sweet, ripe, touch of fruit liqueur; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries and poached strawberries with hue of blue fruits on the glass edges. Light dark spice, vanilla, some black licorice, moist black earth, soft volcanic minerals, fresh purple florals and violets.

The body is medium. Tannins 50% resolved. Still showing a little austere. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries with hue of blue fruits on the glass edges. Light dark spice, vanilla, some black licorice, moist black earth, more gritty volcanic minerals than the nose, herbal notes, used leather, dry stems & underbrush, fresh purple florals and violets. Nice acidity and a beautiful finish in progress. Out of 6 liter, this still needs time to develop.

May 19th, 2018
Erik McLaughlin

Vice President Seven Hills Winery

9.4

At ten years out this wine is in a perfect place, not a day too old or too young. Still lovely primary plum and black cherry fruit, perfectly resolved but still present tannins. Nice secondary earth, leather, dried flowers, cedar, mushroom in the nose but not a minute past prime. Dang, I wish this wasn't my last bottle. It would be nice to see where the next decade takes it.

At ten years out this wine is in a perfect place, not a day too old or too young. Still lovely primary plum and black cherry fruit, perfectly resolved but still present tannins. Nice secondary earth, leather, dried flowers, cedar, mushroom in the nose but not a minute past prime. Dang, I wish this wasn't my last bottle. It would be nice to see where the next decade takes it.

5 people found it helpfulMay 15th, 2015
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Happy Fourth of July!!! 🇺🇸
No better bottle to open than a magnum for a celebration.

A ton better than the last time and another magnum. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with dark fruits, plums, spices, purple floral notes and toasted wood. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus body. Palate has notes with black cherries, dark cocoa, and gravel. Long finish. Drink till 2020.

Happy Fourth of July!!! 🇺🇸
No better bottle to open than a magnum for a celebration.

A ton better than the last time and another magnum. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with dark fruits, plums, spices, purple floral notes and toasted wood. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus body. Palate has notes with black cherries, dark cocoa, and gravel. Long finish. Drink till 2020.

Jul 5th, 2017
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.7

Tried in two different glasses. Seemed corked in the Zalto Bordeaux and smelt of cedar in the Riedel Somm glass...

Medium ruby red. After the either corked or cedar from the note above there was some leather, light cinnamon and mushrooms on the nose. Moderate tannins (6/10) with a medium body. Attack started with baking spices, some dark berries and a little greenery/vegetal. Slight raisins started to develop. Moderate finish, corked nose wore off over the next few days. Drink now.

Tried in two different glasses. Seemed corked in the Zalto Bordeaux and smelt of cedar in the Riedel Somm glass...

Medium ruby red. After the either corked or cedar from the note above there was some leather, light cinnamon and mushrooms on the nose. Moderate tannins (6/10) with a medium body. Attack started with baking spices, some dark berries and a little greenery/vegetal. Slight raisins started to develop. Moderate finish, corked nose wore off over the next few days. Drink now.

Nov 25th, 2016
Will Phelps

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.5

2004 is insanely good right now! Out of magnum. Biased review.

2004 is insanely good right now! Out of magnum. Biased review.

Jan 24th, 2016
Jonathan Wall

At 16, very well behaved. Tannins are light and smooth but enough to keep it in line. Fruit is still there but fades second night. Nose is initially fruity, turning to espresso and chocolate. Elegant for a cab.

At 16, very well behaved. Tannins are light and smooth but enough to keep it in line. Fruit is still there but fades second night. Nose is initially fruity, turning to espresso and chocolate. Elegant for a cab.

Jun 5th, 2016
Minh Nguyen

Crazy good!!!

Crazy good!!!

Feb 25th, 2016
Richard Gaw

Full bodied , fruity, smooth

Full bodied , fruity, smooth

Jan 1st, 2016
Jeffrey Long

Doing really fucking well.

Doing really fucking well.

Oct 9th, 2015
Jason Duff

I'm drinking buttered popcorn and its freaking amazing. 2004 is quite lovely.

I'm drinking buttered popcorn and its freaking amazing. 2004 is quite lovely.

Mar 22nd, 2015