Jake Hajer

9.3

Out of magnum. Beautiful Chardonnay. Fermented butter, macadamias, bruised apricot, lemonade — 15 days ago

Todd Anderson

9.2

Nice big, chewy wine. 2nd half of the bottle still drank nicely 5 days after opening. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The best Phelps Napa I’ve had & had a ton. This 97 was stored perfectly & still just the other side of its peak. Balanced, lovely w/ nothing that bites back. Well worth the $75 or so that I paid. Likely around $25 on release. Now, 24 yrs in bottle better than some other Napa wines I’ve paid $150. The nose is also one of the better Napa Cabernet’s I’ve inhaled. Ruby; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, poached, dark cherries, spiced strawberries with raspberries hovering. Anise to black licorice, dark Indian/Asian spices, slightly dry tobacco, nutmeg, cinnamon, sandalwood, hints of sweet lead pencil shavings, dry & fresh herbaceousiness, charcoal, black tea, hints of menthol, dark, slightly withering florals, framed in lavender & violets.

The palate is lush, ruby, juicy fruits. Those that think fruit is lost at this age, not the case here and in many of the well stored wines I’ve had. Ripe & juicy; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, plum, poached, dark cherries, spiced strawberries with raspberries hovering. Anise to black licorice, tarry notes, some fig & dates, dark Indian/Asian spices, slightly dry tobacco, dry brush/twig, nutmeg, cinnamon, sandalwood, hints of sweet lead pencil shavings, dry & fresh herbaceousiness, charcoal, black tea, hints of menthol, moist volcanic clay, very fine, dry, crushed rocks, dark, slightly withering florals framed in lavender & violets, perfect acidity. The finish is outstandingly; knitted, tensioned, structured, layered, balanced for days that lasts minutes. Outstanding!!!

What a treat. The integration & evolution is epic & everything you hope for in every wine you open. You’ve heard of a velvet wine wrap in an iron fist. This is a velvet wine wrapped in a velvet glove. — 6 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Ripe, but not cloying. Peaches and acid. — 14 days ago

John Chawluk

8.9

Well balanced Chardonnay. Good fruit, not overly oaky. Nice Christmas gift. — 3 months ago

Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2012 Vintage on 12/1-2/23. A real RRV PN with tastes of blackberry, black raspberry, baking spices and cinnamon. Medium bodied and well balanced. New World, but not overly fruity — 5 months ago

Jerry Raphael

8.9

Dang good Chard, not super complex but very drinkable. Been open sitting in my fridge for 3 weeks or more. Must’ve sprayed it. Every time I think I’m over Pali drinkers they pull me back in. — 9 months ago

David Walser

9.3

At our second special Caymus dinner on Sky Princess serving this wine. I’ve had lots of Caymus wines over the years. This is in line with the brand, but not what I remember from the wines from the late 70’s. As the price increased, I lost interest. It’s ok, but I feel there are better wines at the price point for the Cabernet Sauvignon. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.9

77 acres of very old vaso trained Monatrell vines & 29 acres of 30 year old Cab Sauvignon. A blend of 70% Cab Sauvignon & 30% Monastrell aged 2 years. Dark Ruby with dark berry flavors & complex spice. Rich ripe blueberry & blackberry flavors with vanilla spice, tobacco, balanced acidity. Tannins are approachable but the wine is still very young, long finish ending with integrated oak notes. Still needs time, don’t be tempted but if you wait this will be great! Tasting Sample! — 3 months ago

Brian S

9.2

Orange, lemon, green apple, pear, caramel, steely, rocks. — 7 months ago