Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Syrah
Napa Valley, California, USA
No simile, nor metaphor, nor purple language can do this wine justice. It is a tangible piece of California history and winemaking in this country. The first Syrah to be produced and labeled as such. Grapes were harvested at 22.5 Brix and that acidity gave this wine a gorgeous vibrancy that was utterly surprising and totally pleasurable to drink. The grapes were a trial and planted in 1959 by UC Davis at the Wheeler Farm vineyards. Upon release, marketing notes made comparisons to Petite Syrah because that variety was so much more familiar to the US market. I hope that I age as gracefully as this syrah, which was still ready to play hop scotch on the playground at 42 years old (which in wine years is like 105).
No simile, nor metaphor, nor purple language can do this wine justice. It is a tangible piece of California history and winemaking in this country. The first Syrah to be produced and labeled as such. Grapes were harvested at 22.5 Brix and that acidity gave this wine a gorgeous vibrancy that was utterly surprising and totally pleasurable to drink. The grapes were a trial and planted in 1959 by UC Davis at the Wheeler Farm vineyards. Upon release, marketing notes made comparisons to Petite Syrah because that variety was so much more familiar to the US market. I hope that I age as gracefully as this syrah, which was still ready to play hop scotch on the playground at 42 years old (which in wine years is like 105).
Dec 11th, 2018
1976 Magnum. What a treat! Held steady all night without fading. If served blind I would have guessed a Cabernet. This was elegant spice, nice color, and fruit still there. Loved this! #josephphelps
1976 Magnum. What a treat! Held steady all night without fading. If served blind I would have guessed a Cabernet. This was elegant spice, nice color, and fruit still there. Loved this! #josephphelps
2 people found it helpfulApr 25th, 2015
Mike had this 10 years ago
Mike had this 10 years ago
Jan 20th, 2014