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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 94.8 pts. and median of 95 pts. in 49 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 4/6/2024 & rated 95 points: Similar to prior notes after double decanting for 2 hrs; outstanding, but outshone by the 2012 VHR, drink or hold (216 views) | | | Tasted by vinus_operandi on 3/25/2024 & rated 88 points: sublime oak juice, only i was looking for a sublime wine. it represents everything that is wrong with napa valley wines. i bet 99% of those who drink this have no idea what they are tasting. shameful (297 views) | | | Tasted by DWStyle on 11/14/2023 & rated 96 points: Quick note: slo-oxed for a couple hours. Napa 07’s are tannic structured wines that need extra time. This is at the age where it can be decanted or slo-oxed into a great drink.
If I had more or a larger format bottle I’d hold off for 2-4 more years or more ideally! This wine needs time. (721 views) | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 9/21/2022 & rated 95 points: Similar to prior notes after double decanting for 2 hrs, deep ruby, dark fruit with some vanilla, med/firm tannins, long finish. This bottle was just entering its prime drinking; outstanding, drink or preferably hold (1450 views) | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 2/1/2022 & rated 94 points: Similar to prior note after double decanting for 2 hrs, but tasted even younger (blind, I would have guessed 13); delicious, hold for at least another year or 2 (1819 views) | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 1/7/2021 & rated 95 points: Double decanted for 2 hrs, deep ruby, dark fruit with some vanilla, med/firm tannins, long finish; outstanding, but still young for me & needs another year or 2 (at least) (2708 views) | | | Tasted by Bachus Maling on 8/16/2020 & rated 97 points: Absolutely elegant. Must decant for at least 60 mins. Paired with Steak Au Poivre and frites. Still has legs for many years. (2626 views) | | | Tasted by mdvillaverde on 12/19/2019 & rated 94 points: 14.5% ABV. I let it breathe for an hour then drank over two. Convex's notes below are on point for me. I repeat them. Except I'd note that the wine was WAY better on day 2 (was a 93 on day 1 and 95 on day 2). So if you have time to let this breathe for 4 hours, I suspect you'll find the wine far more enjoyable. (2792 views) | | | Tasted by Sjccmember on 11/22/2016 & rated 97 points: Still has time. Ready now but should get better over 5 years (6947 views) | | | Tasted by CLW1 on 8/29/2016 & rated 96 points: Really nice. Blackberry with hint of caramel. Nice structure almost chewy. Long finish. (5534 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 6/4/2016 & rated 94 points: Elegant, silky smooth, polished, a symphony of perfectly balanced flavors, this was the ideal opening red for the dinner grilled steak course. Dark garnet/purple colored, medium-full bodied, aromatic nose and flavors of a medley of sweet ripe berry fruits accented by slight subtle tones of vanilla, and sweet oak with a whisper of cassis and mocha that are so nicely integrated they're almost indistinguishable, turning to supple full but silky smooth tannins.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/06/backus-sassicaia-dead-arm-highlight.html (5056 views) | | | Tasted by convex on 4/13/2016 & rated 94 points: Cedar. Chocolate. Nice fruit, not overt, not sweet. Classically dry. Nice, crisp, bittery finish. Traditional. (4956 views) | | | Tasted by CLW1 on 10/9/2015 & rated 97 points: Black Cherry, Tobacco
Good structure
Charles Jalenak (5534 views) | | | Tasted by jeffm_fla on 9/2/2015 & rated 97 points: Wow! This was some great wine. Drank with chateaubriand at Bowery Meat Co. Perfect wine for the dish... heck nearly perfect wine! Tannins are soft and sweet now, still plenty of fruit, but great balance. Nose and flavor profile remind me a lot of Harlan Estate with that hint of cedar/caramel (is that the Oakville terroir speaking to me? They are on opposite sides of the valley, I think). Sorry this was my last bottle - this was the best wine I've had in a long time. (2650 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 4/5/2015 & rated 98 points: Little to add to previous notes. A near perfect California Cabernet. I can't keep my hands off it, so after today I only have 3 more bottles of this vintage :-( (2777 views) | | | Tasted by Gregg & Maribel on 11/23/2014 & rated 96 points: - Ruby color with medium forming legs. It's balanced with a full body. Round texture with a long finish - Decanted for 3 hours while we went to dinner with Tony and Robin - set up very well! Drank after dinner with some chocolate for our dessert course - amazing! (3117 views) | | | Tasted by Darwine on 9/14/2014 & rated 95 points: Decanted for 2 hours - absolutely fantastic throughout. Luscious dark fruit and a tingling soft finish which stayed with you. Matched up nicely with roasted beef tongue and short ribs! (2995 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 9/7/2014 & rated 97 points: Brought to dinner at Boca with Laura and Jeff. No formal notes. Bottom line: this is killer juice. The only thing that keeps this from 100 points is the slight prominence of oak. For the most part, the fruit stands up beautifully to the oak and tannins. Still a young wine. Drinking very well, but structured to last decades. (2333 views) | | | Tasted by Asmiller on 7/12/2014 & rated 99 points: Wow!!!!! (2515 views) | | | Tasted by JMLoree on 5/9/2014 & rated 96 points: Still very early for this powerful, unctuous behemoth of a cab. A good five years to go and this will be sensational! (2160 views) | | | Tasted by jeffm_fla on 7/19/2013 & rated 94 points: Easily my favorite at a night of top wines. Rich, complex and structured. Bright fruit (3590 views) | | | Tasted by RoseWater on 1/29/2013 & rated 94 points: Great wine. Drinkable now but could use a few more years. Full bodied but not overly done. Great nose. Definitely worth it. (3351 views) | | | Tasted by Wink on 5/24/2012 & rated 93 points: Brought to dinner at Boca. Drank alongside the '01 Scavino Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annuziata. Apples to oranges. The Backus was dark purple. Open nose of cassis, smoke, vanilla, and espresso. An accessible palate of ripe, sweet Cab fruit with superb length & toasty oak. Supple tannins. Lovely, focused acidity. Nicely in balance, except that the oak was not fully integrated. Wait at least two years! Excellent. (4854 views) | | | Tasted by Cujo on 4/14/2012 & rated 92 points: The finish is clean. Sitting with friends and enjoying after a lamb dinner it has no bitter after taste. (4613 views) | | | Tasted by jeffm_fla on 8/6/2011 & rated 94 points: Powerful nose, bright fruit with a great underlying tannic structure. Very good wine (5950 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Linda Murphy
JancisRobinson.com (12/8/2010)
(Joseph Phelps, Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Red) Subscribe to see review text. | i-WineReview.com, Joseph Phelps Wines (10/31/2010)
(Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard Oakville Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2009, IWC Issue #144
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard Oakville Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and i-WineReview.com and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Joseph Phelps Producer website
In the late 60s, Joseph Phelps was running one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. when he won the bid to build Souverain Winery (now Rutherford Hill) located a few miles outside of St. Helena. Enamored with the beautiful Napa Valley and contemplating a career change, in 1973 he bought the 600-acre Connolly cattle ranch in Spring Valley, and began planting vineyards. The winery was completed in 1974 and that same year the first Syrah was made, the first grapes were crushed at the new facility and the first Insignia was produced. It was a period of unparalleled activity, creativity, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and risk-taking and it put Joe Phelps on the map of top Napa Valley wine producers.
Nearly four decades later, the flagship wine, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Twenty nine of 34 vintages have been rated ninety or more points by various wine publications. From 1990 to 2007, the average score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is 94.5 pts., with the lowest score still a fabulous 91. The 2002 vintage was “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine, and the 2007 vintage has been rated 98 points by Robert Parker and 96 points by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Over the years, the goal of becoming 100% estate grown resulted in carefully planned acquisitions of prime vineyards in the Napa Valley. Today, the Phelps estate consists of the Spring Valley Home Ranch outside of St. Helena, Banca Dorada in Rutherford, Las Rocas and Barboza vineyards in Stags Leap, Yountville Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Suscol Vineyard in South Napa and Backus Vineyard in Oakville.
Beginning with the 2009 vintage, estate-grown wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Insignia, Backus (the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville) and Eisrébe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape. In addition, a small amount of Syrah is produced from fruit owned by Hyde Vineyards in Los Carneros.
Though the main focus is on Bordeaux varietals, Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. Originally Chardonnay was sourced from St. Helena, later from Yountville and then from Los Carneros. Through the years, however, Joe continued to search for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and his search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, 200 acres were acquired and planting began. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay are producing some remarkable wines which are available for tasting at the Freestone Guest Center. Visit Freestone Vineyards to learn more.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Oakville |
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