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. — 19 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Lovely balance. Cool plummy fruit with minerality and a savory delicious softness. Understated but excellent — 2 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.7

4 hour decant as well, still a little tight but a great match for the Ribeye, Strip & A5 Wagyu
Consensus # 2 wine of the night — 5 months ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.5

Either or for me but everyone else gravitated to the North Slope. — 5 months ago

Paul K

9.3

One of my favorite Napa cabs. This vintage continues to improve. Last had in ‘21. Not a ton of oak or alcohol. The fruit isn’t bombastic yet not austere either. Closer to austere, but not at all simple. It’s earthy, berry, cherry, and tobacco with round tannins. Love this! I wish more Napa cabs went down this route. — 6 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Big and fleshy. Inky intense fruit. Dense and quite fresh on the palate. Very pure — 2 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Jan de Weerd

8.9

Basically…disappointed. We were ready for a big Cab but this was a bit of a dud. Limited finish and also did not develop much on the palate. 9 years old had expected layers of leather, cigar etc but none of that. Mostly single note and lack of vibrancy. What should I do with the other two bottles I have?? — 5 months ago

with Tammy

Skip Smyser

9.8

Don't have time to detail the complexity of this 1.5 L. A marvelous of the cellar 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago

Simon Quan

9.3

1997 vintage. Worried that the cork dried out. However, it’s held up well! — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.

This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.

Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience. — 2 months ago