David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute. — 12 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Lovely old vine (128 years old) Mataro from Contra Costa County east of SF, rich redfruits, still well-structured, not overly extracted, just pure with a long, lingering finish, ideally needs more cellaring. — 6 months ago

with Jim

Ken Venezio

9.6

Explosive Cab. Some of the best Napa has to offer. — a year ago

Marc Melser

9.3

We had the 2013 Vintage on 3/6/24. An excellent Merlot with tastes of blackberry, plum, mocha and oak. Well balanced, full bodied and fruit forward. The tannins softened nicely in air. An overall excellent California Merlot — a month ago

Kelley Raymond

9.3

Amazing vintage and part of the vineyard - a little sweet, but a perfect finish — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Dark garnet color. Fresh red berry/cherry aromas with hints of minerals and fresh herbs. More sour cherry and cranberry on the palate with hints of earth, black tea, black licorice and rhubarb. Medium-plus body, soft texture and light tannins. Pretty good. Thanks for sharing, Keith S! — 8 months ago

Kristen Grimes

9.6

Very fruity. Black cherry and blackberry aromas and some notes of cinnamon, then balanced fruit and baking spices that tingle the tongue and linger on. What Goes with That: Fall Sweets Class, pairing: pumpkin pie. — a year ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.4

Beautiful label with original artwork. Aged well. Color is still very dark. Smells meaty. Floral too. Hints of violets. Berry melange. Flavors are dense and very tannic. Fairly complex and very chewy. Clean and clear with the lovely flavors. Plenty of savory and licorice-y stuff. This is Petite at its best and it’s still going strong 14 years on. — 2 months ago

David Dorn

9.0

Super easy to drink. Good structure and a healthy amount of oak. Nice wine! — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; consumed over a three hour period. No formal notes. The 2015 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco pours a deeper garnet color with a translucent core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is currently bursting with red and dark fruits: blackberries, Luxardo cherry, pomegranate, green herbs, red flowers, green herbs, and tar. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. The notes on the nose are confirmed. The finish is long and savory. Really compelling stuff in the context of the night. I think the 2015’s are drinking so well right now. Unfortunately, this is my last bottle of the “classico” but I’ll be on the hunt for more if I can score at a good price. Drink now if you’re going to allow for some evolution in the glass or enjoy through 2035. — 10 months ago