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Joseph Phelps is one of Napa Valley's most prominent wine producers. As is the case with many of Napa's most famous producers, the key grape variety here is Cabernet Sauvignon.
The iconic redwood winery is located just outside of St Helena. The company owns vineyards across Napa, notably in Stags Leap, Oak Knoll, Rutherford and Oakville.
The estate was established in 1973 with a first release of three wines. Joseph Phelps was running a construction company in Colorado and had come to Napa for a project and had fallen in love with the wine industry there. After importing grapes back to Denver for vinification for a time, he bought a cattle ranch in the valley and began planting vineyards.
Joseph Phelps' flagship wine is Insignia, which made its debut in 1974. This is a blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of other Bordeaux varieties. The precise components vary with each vintage. Current options are Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The company hopes to replant some Merlot for future vintages.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
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Vintage | 1997 |
Rating | WS96/RP94/ST92 |
Bottle Size | 1500 ml |
Bottle Quantity | 1 |
Country | USA |
Region | California |
Location | North Coast |
Producer | Phelps Joseph |
Color | Red |
Wine Type | Table |
Robert Parker | RP94 - 1997 Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Magnum The creamy-textured opulent and seductive 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard will be far more delicious in its youth than any of this vineyard's previous vintages. The fruit is sweeter and more developed and the aromatics more evolved than in either the 1996 or 1995. The 1997 displays a saturated purple color gobs of creamy-textured blackberry and black currant fruit superb purity good structure and a voluptuously-textured long finish lasting for more than 35 seconds. Unless it closes down in the aging process it will be the most seductive Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon I have yet tasted. It should drink well for 20-25 years. Readers should be paying attention to Phelps' Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a 100% Cabernet aged completely in French oak for 18-22 months. This vineyard is being expanded to 22 acres so the production about 600 cases will be increasing in 4-5 years. |
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Wine Spectator | WS96 |
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Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
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Vintage | 1997 |
Rating | WS96/RP94/ST92 |
Bottle Size | 1500 ml |
Bottle Quantity | 1 |
Country | USA |
Region | California |
Location | North Coast |
Producer | Phelps Joseph |
Color | Red |
Wine Type | Table |
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