Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. Last tasted 10.30.24 (9.3). Popped for the staff as part of the usual Saturday Slurp. Previous visit was ridiculously delicious but undisciplined. All over the map and that was much of the charm...that rusticity and authenticity...but at Woodstock with 500K in attendance and the LSD-spiked punchbowl that ambushed The Who still found them nailing their set. Kinda similar to that. Yeah. So tonight's viz finds this bad boy relatively behaved with frontal palate richness and savory chocolate note along with a plushiness that was previously hinted at but unfulfilled. Gaminess gonzo for the most part as this seems to have settled into middle-age. Say it ain't so! Was crazy excellent in the punk rock era. Still excellent in the arena rock era. We'll see what happens in the crooner/standards era. 6.27.26. — 14 hours ago

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. — a month ago

Billy L.

9.3

Happy Easter Cheers 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻 — 3 months ago

Jason Sliwa

9.6

Toasted notes set this apart from other champagnes for me. This was fantastic. — 3 months ago

with Eli

Bob McDonald

9.2

No notes taken after a large final day at the Australian Grand Prix in Casa Ferrari. I thought the matching glasses to the painted bottle a very classy touch. Pale salmon in colour. A lovely refreshing drink with notes of wild strawberry and a creamy sweetness to the palate. The mousse is not fine but it remains a delicious Rose Champagne. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Dark red cherry, berry fruit with notes of meat, savory spices, licorice, violets & tobacco — 7 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Forever favorite — 13 days ago

Joe Fischer

8.9

Ruby with aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, licorice, and tobacco. Very cherry on the bud with a long smooth finish. — a month ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Clean fruit. Mixed peppercorn. Tasty old world Syrah. — 2 months 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. — 3 months ago

Ericsson

9.3

Special edition. At the estate in Tour sur Marne FR. — 3 months ago

Andrew Schirmer

8.9

Found something drinkable among the acres of plonk in the Juneau liquor store…pretty nice but could use a bit more integration. — 5 months ago

Jonathan Warren

9.6

Unreal. Still so young but drinking beautiful. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was youthful with rich cherry, red berry fruits, earth, baking spices, mineral & floral tones — 22 days ago

Karen Tripson

9.2

Lovely bubbles! — 6 days 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. — 2 months 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. — 3 months ago

with JiaMin

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. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Sam Friedland

8.9

Was fine, but nothing to write home about!✍️ — 5 months ago

Tom Nguyen

9.1

Beautiful fruit and structure. Opened up pretty quickly. Brought this bottle back from trip to France a couple years ago. — 5 months ago