Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium deep ruby , medium wide garnet rim . Quite aromatic dark cassis , grafite , cedar , blackcurrant, touch of coffee and earth . On the palate good backbone , with cool dark fruits , excellent acidity , grafite , tobacco . Fine ripe tannins . Good length . Quite fresh and pretty . This is showing well though will continue to deliver over the next 10-15 years . — 2 days ago

Matthew Davis

8.9

Really good Malbec, still some tannic strength, but complex and full bodied, with some dried dark cherries and cocoa or tobacco. Lingers really well — 14 days ago

with Rivka and Navin

Lorna Hajdini

9.7

June 2022 - last visit at WS. This was a 1939 vintage (not 1989). Unbelievably “fresh” and good level of acidity for its age. Very special! — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.4

Vintage 1995 | Vanilla, forrest wood, true to type, well balanced but also tannins - very good effort — 13 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— a day ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Can’t tell if not in a great spot or maybe some slight heat damage—but leaning to the latter. Tasty, but not as good as it should have been — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Dark and brooding with great rich fruit. Dark plum, leather, cedar, a whiff of iodine. Still tight and pure. Very good. Years ahead. — 2 days ago

with Garth and Matt

Vino Joe

9.3

I am biased for Rioja but this is a very good demonstration of why. Great balance ripe reserved fruit in harmony with some slight puckering length. Better in 10 years. Totally fine now. — 14 days ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.8

So deep and layered nose. Just wanna dive in and stay there. What a wonderful World. Despite The palate does not fully respect the nose, it is very balanced and integrated. Don’t say 2023 isn’t a good vintage!! 98-99. Elegance. — 19 days ago

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. — a month ago