Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

As I have said many times before, I love these old 90’s Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernets. 1994 was the last vintage Phelps used this label. #oldschool

13.7 ABV. A little higher than expected for this era but way better than 15+.

The nose fruits show that light brickish flare-a touch baked & hints of being stewed, yet still beautifully ripe. Softened, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum & dark cherries, some raspberries & blueberry hues. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, sweet, moist, volcanic clays, light graphite, bright, red, dark, blue florals with a hue of violets.

The fruits in this 93 are still very sound/solid & fresh. It senses just waning from its peak. It’s beautiful, elegant w/ perfect evolution. Glides over the palate, nothing bitty. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, cherries, shades of freshly baked rhubarb & blueberry w/ hues of raspberries. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, amazing softened dark spice with some palate heat, dry herb mix, soft baking spice-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, understated caramel notes, vanillin. Steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, light, gentle graphite, dry top soils, dry limestone powder, red, dark, blue florals, red roses with a hue of violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with perfect balance-structure, elegant & softly polished finish that last minutes and lands on softened earth tones & Indian/Asian spices.

I had many 90’s Phelps Napa Cabernets & this might be the most memorable for its tireless age at 32 yrs & style. Amazing treat. Really good with the Ribcap. Sublime.

Amazingly, next to no sediment. — 8 days ago

Chip Habegger

9.1

Could be a 9.2 but I had it at a steakhouse and the Cali Cab - Filet combo makes all’s those wines taste better. Even without the 2+2=5 taste combo was still smooth, darkly fruited, and great. — 18 hours ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

Ageing relatively well. Opened up more after two hours. Tannins soft. But present. Colour still rich and vibrant Smooth but just slightly over the hill. Fun to drink. — 18 days ago

with Edel, Michael and 1 other

Ericsson

9.0

Want to sell wine? Put a provocative picture on the bottle and come up with an exciting story! Share it religiously. Wine can be good. Worked for Orin; decades later we’re still talking about Prisoner and many others he created. Cheers. — 9 days ago

Dave

9.3

2015 was an early harvest in Napa, but the fruit was very good, as this bottle demonstrates. At ten years of age, this wine is giving me a wonderful feeling in my mouth, with soft, leathery tannins. It's not jammy but rather has dark cherry, cedar, and eucalyptus on the palette. It could lay down a few more years, but it's superb today. I got lucky, this bottle was at my grocer's surrounded by 2020's. Grab a bottle if you see one.
Listening to Neil Young. — 21 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Anytime an older Heitz Martha’s is open, it’s a treat. I’ve tried to acquire a few random bottles over the years and they have consistently impressed (‘78 and ‘01, specifically). My first early ‘90s vintage.

Quick double decant to simply get the wine off sediment as it wouldn’t be consumed from a decanter at the location I would be at.

In my experience, the distinct and typical eucalyptus notes jump right at pop, but this bottle was a little subdued early on. After an hour with the cork out, the eucalyptus, herbs, cedar and red fruit made their entrance. Compared to the ‘91 Hartwell I opened a few months ago, this was more elegant and less dense on the mid-palate. If not for the eucalyptus, I could see this being called left bank Bordeaux with 30yrs on it. Gained some darker red/underripe black fruit notes the longer it was open. Beautiful length at the finish. Bright acidity and tannin. Not getting better, but a wonderful drinking window to enjoy now. — a month ago

Dave

9.0

I don't know. This wine is good, and 2018 was very good for Napa. But, to me, this drinks like $30. Don't shoot! 🤞
Listening to Nada Surf. — 4 hours ago

Jan A

9.4

Wait another two-four years to mellow out the tannins — 7 days ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Maybe it’s bc this followed the barbaresco but this seems thin by comparison — 17 days ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry, cassis, blackberry, vanilla, mossy earth and oak. Full-bodied and moderate tannins. — 13 days ago