Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.

Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.

The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.

This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.

Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — 2 days ago

Ryan Douglas Wells

9.0

Almost effervescent with acidity, bright, with tart cherries, the funk and slight brine of olives, and a pleasant mid-mouth weight. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Tasted a lot of 2023 burgundies last weekend. Thought I’d try a white with some age.

With aging white burgundy, sometimes it gives you a touch of v/a. This is on nose but not the palate. Believe it is v/a but there is some confusion with the scent of mushrooms. Thought it might be some burgundy cellar funk. But yes, some detectable v/a. Yet, it’s not entirely offensive.

The palate show excellent viscosity. It’s full & round. Golden-green apples, creamy lemons, some lime zest, both stone fruits, not so sweet pineapple syrup & kiwi notes, warm caramel, Brach’s butterscotch candy, gentle but thick honey, their is some unfortunate, faint wet cardboard that comes once it opens up, mushrooms, saline-sea foam, excellent, white spice, oyster fossils, touch of flintiness-gun powder, smooth chalky powder, wet limestone marl, some herbal notes, yellow lilies, white Spring florals set in greens, pleasant, round acidity with perfect balance, mid toned/structured, nicely knitted, elegant, rich finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice, chalk and volcanic minerals on the long set.

Unfortunate about the minimal cardboard. I’d add a point, maybe two w/o it.

Photos of; PYCM and Pierre-Yves Colin the eldest son of Marc Colin. — 3 months ago

Ming L

9.0

Aromas of kirsch, dried cherry, old wood, leather, and warm spice lead into a broad, supple palate. The fruit is ripe and generous, with earthy undertones and hints of black olive and dried herbs. Structure comes more from fine tannins than visible acidity, giving a smooth, gently weighted flow rather than lift. The finish is savory and persistent, marked by a candied touch.

A nice traditional CdP, but it does not show the fruit purity and freshness that’s one of the hallmark of the great 16’ vintage. — 24 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

More delicate than fulsome. Definitely more citrus than stone fruit. Palate intensity is medium plus - some mineral and spice. A classy bottle of white burgundy. The trademark heavy bottle from PYCM. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intoxicating musky notes of dark fruit, potting soil, worn leather, truffles, stewed meat, slight menthol. Taste: velvety, seamless, balanced, intense wine with dark fruit, cassis, earth, tobacco, mineral, herbs, and a chocolate graphite long never-ending finish. YUM! This wine has aged gracefully and has more gas in the tank. Enjoy. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

17 Gonon smoked 05 Clape — 21 days ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Clean fruit. Mixed peppercorn. Tasty old world Syrah. — a month ago

Michael Dierberg

9.4

Great wine. Will improve but not a bad time to open. Aromatics started with a distinctive smoky or reductive note that I couldn’t quite place but dissipated and morphed. Good structure. — 2 months ago

with JiaMin

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Stunner. Needs air as all PYCM does but it’s electric tonight, layered and complete with killer density, definition and massive length on the saline-mineral inflicted finish. Special wine! — 2 months ago