Joseph Drouhin

Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay 2018

8.9

Found something drinkable among the acres of plonk in the Juneau liquor store…pretty nice but could use a bit more integration. — 23 days ago

Lisanne, Anthony and 7 others liked this

Domaine Faiveley (Joseph Faiveley)

Clos des Cortons Faiveley Monopole Grand Cru Pinot Noir

GaryWEdwards

9.4

Silky cherry with tannins nicely integrated . Showing well. Finally! — 14 days ago

Jan, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2018

Jonathan Warren

9.6

Unreal. Still so young but drinking beautiful. — a month ago

Andrew, Dave and 8 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Tom Garland

9.4

1hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A striking still dark magenta color with little bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of sweet red/blue fruit, smoked meat, floral, worn leather, nutmeg, wet forest floor. Taste: velvety, smooth, elegant, savory mature wine with dried cherries, cocoa, leather, scorched earth, and a minerally mocha long lingering finish. YUM!! — a month ago

with Brenda

Brenda, Paul and 15 others liked this

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

I had a 1997 just over 2 years ago. Even with a 4 hour decant it wouldn’t budge. Still have a mag of 97, I don’t know when to even think about opening that one.

Tom Garland

@Paul T HB Nice. The 05 still looked young and had such a classic feel to it. But, its peak has past....still drank well, and has more years of savory pleasure to go.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I will say straight up, I am very disappointed that LVMH bought this historical Napa property. I imagine that Joseph isn’t happy about that. What was the family thinking? First guess, is they lacked their fathers passion & just wanted the money. Maybe, future climate played apart? 🤷‍♂️

I have had the 95 a couple-three times. Again, sounding like a broken record, these are good young, but not great until they are 13-28 yrs in bottle. I’ve had plenty of older JP’s to know.

Once again, I count bottle yrs, not from vintage creation. Human life doesn’t is not counted until birth. Wine for me is no different.

The nose shows slightly brambly fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender.

The palate shows resolved, mushy, thick tannins, insanely fresh, ripe, juicy, brambly fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mulberries, goose berries, red to mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, dark, rounded spices, incense, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, dry river pebbles, moist, grey volcanic clays, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender and liquid violets, insane, summer rainfall acidity, the balance, length are off the charts, soft spoken tension is still apart of this cuvée with lush, elegance for days that lands gently on fruit, clay and spice.

This 95 is not tired and, just, and, I mean, just the other side of its peak with a very drinkable decent over the next 5 yrs.

Glorious evolution & style! 94+ a bit. Cork near perfect and some sediment. — 4 days ago