Napa Station

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Somm David T
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.
— 10 days ago

Dawn, Juan and 16 others liked this
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Maybe LVMH has a greater passion for excellence than the next generation of Phelps

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Perfect pairing with a Prime ribeye 🤤 blackberry, some toasted coconut, and oak notes. Bold and tannic. Lasting finish. This is great stuff and a fantastic vintage. Happy Valentine’s Day, wineos!! — 9 days ago

Paul and Dave liked this

Darioush

Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

If liquid gold were a thing, it would be this. Favorite wine of all time — 3 days ago

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Deep ruby color. Aromas of dark cherry, plum, eucalyptus and baking spice. Blackberry on the palate, nutmeg/clove, earthy finish. — 2 days ago

Paul, Scott@Mister and 9 others liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cooked cherries, light green vegetables, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old red blend from California is still drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting. Nice to see that it aged nicely.

Showing slight RS on the palate, but I can live with that.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 21 days ago

Andrew, Ted and 9 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Big Cheers dear Winefriend 👌🍷

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

New release but showing so much promise. Getting a lot of red fruit, minerals, and well integrated oak. Beauty! — 17 days ago

Ted, Ray and 9 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

This Opus is polished with aromas of blackberry and spice. On the palate it’s rich, with velvety tannins, dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of espresso. The finish is long and flavorful. — 22 days ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Andrew and 10 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Better than expected as the last few assorted vintage Artemis bottles I’ve had have been less than good. Medium-heavy body. Decent spice and tea flavors on the caboose. 2.12.26. — 10 days ago

Somm, Dave and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I thought 2018 was very good. You?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave 2018 a great vintage along with 2019. 2019 is more approachable tho. Can't remember if I had the 2018 but this steady producer/effort had lost my trust. This example semi-restored my faith.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Marchesi Antinori ownership now.

Freemark Abbey

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Wow, this is good! I'm not the Napa connoisseur, but I've had a couple vintages of Freemark. This is definitely the best. Upon opening the nose is generous with blackberries and a creamy pastry aroma. Flavors of currant, blueberry, graphite, vanilla bean. Silky tannins and a lingering finish. I think a year in the basement helped this. Definitely could use more bottle age.
Listening to Uncle Tupelo
— 19 days ago

Barny, David and 30 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Freemark Abbey is a sentimental favorite of ours!
Dave

Dave

That's great! Wish you were here to have a pour. @Tom Casagrande

Mount Veeder Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This wine smells like it's late to the party, but it tastes like it's 1999. Pucker up! Bright, tart cherries. Blackberries and mint. Cedar and tea leaves. Tannins are mellow and this wine has a smooth lengthy finish. A great value Napa!
Listening to Rod Stewart.
— 24 days ago

Doug, Tom and 23 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Maggie May??
Dave

Dave

I love that period. But I was listening to Young Turks 🤪 @Doug Powers