Abbas Zand

9.0

Full bodied dry red wine. High alcohol 14.5%. Medium+ intensity, deep red color. Aromas and flavors of black cherry and blackberries. Earthy, spicy notes of cinnamon and clove, dried herbs. Medium+ tannins. Long complex finish.
$35
92% cab, w/ malbec, petite sirah, Petit verdot, and syrah. — a day ago

Sam Friedland

9.1

Nice, but over the hill! — 9 months ago

Branden Reimer

9.0

Had it with pizza. Easy to drink. Not too dry but not sweet. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. Haven’t tasted the 2018 Gravelly Meadow but RRT is more forward drinking-with oodles of berries and earth-than the 2018 Volcanic Hill (usually the fave of the three). Silky finish with that light, yet expressive, Diamond Creek body that they’re known for. — 4 years ago

Ed Chin

9.4

It is so open for business right now. A prime example of Napa old school. Dark fruit and resolved tannins. — 2 months ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.2

Raw, volcanic minerals, unsweetened chocolate, saline, herbs — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

1998 not the best Napa vintage. This defies that a bit. If I rounded up, would make 9.4. From their original winemaker, not TRB as in latter vintages. This is a little the other side of its peak but really delicious. On the first few sips, a touch a tomato w/ leaf. There is even the faintest of bandaid-v/a on the nose.

But the nose reveals slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, and creamy raspberries. Limestone, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, dark, rich earth, mid dark, spices, clove, some ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals.

Slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries & blueberries on the long open/finish. Limestone, moist, volcanic clays, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, warm, salted, caramel, dark fruit tea, dark, rich earth, some fresh tobacco, sandalwood, light, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark spices, clove, vanillin, ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals framed in violets, round acidity and a well structured, tensioned, balanced, well polished finish that lasts two-minutes. — 2 years ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.4

At 6 years old, smooth and reflective of the volcanic terroir. Dark cherry, tobacco. September 2025. — 4 months ago

romo

9.3

Reduction gives way to volcanic salty creamsicle. Stainless steel ashtray. — 6 months ago

Somm 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. — 2 years ago