W. S. Keyes Vineyard

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1993

Somm David T
9.4

As I have said many times before, I love these old 90’s Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernets. 1994 was the last vintage Phelps used this label. #oldschool

13.7 ABV. A little higher than expected for this era but way better than 15+.

The nose fruits show that light brickish flare-a touch baked & hints of being stewed, yet still beautifully ripe. Softened, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum & dark cherries, some raspberries & blueberry hues. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, sweet, moist, volcanic clays, light graphite, bright, red, dark, blue florals with a hue of violets.

The fruits in this 93 are still very sound/solid & fresh. It senses just waning from its peak. It’s beautiful, elegant w/ perfect evolution. Glides over the palate, nothing bitty. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, cherries, shades of freshly baked rhubarb & blueberry w/ hues of raspberries. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, amazing softened dark spice with some palate heat, dry herb mix, soft baking spice-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, understated caramel notes, vanillin. Steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, light, gentle graphite, dry top soils, dry limestone powder, red, dark, blue florals, red roses with a hue of violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with perfect balance-structure, elegant & softly polished finish that last minutes and lands on softened earth tones & Indian/Asian spices.

I had many 90’s Phelps Napa Cabernets & this might be the most memorable for its tireless age at 32 yrs & style. Amazing treat. Really good with the Ribcap. Sublime.

Amazingly, next to no sediment.
— 2 months ago

Ira, Tom and 20 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Yeah, those older Phelps/Phelps Eisele Cabs increasing hard to locate/source being bandied about in auctionland. Grrr and pretty old-school pure if and when you can. One of the handful of ancient mariner Napa wineries where their instincts, methods, r and d paid off in spades and (continues to) set the standard. Nice.

Vadiaperti

Torama Coda di Volpe 2017

W&S Top 100. Yeah. Red. — 6 years ago

Mark Freund
with Mark
Ryan liked this

Sandhi Wines

Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2012

II’ve loved all the Sandhi 2012 range of whites & this £65 S&B is superb 👍 Paired with enough curry to get a small village going regular for a week 🤣 💨 sorry I didn’t take pics of that feast 😁

📍 Sandhi Sandford & Benedict Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 @sandhiwines

🏵 94 points

🍷 Golden yellow

👃 Chopped pineapple, crushed rock mineral, lemon oil, key lime pie, honey gloop & white jasmine flowers w/ light oak, vanilla & apple

👄 Med+ body of creamy refreshing clean tropical & citrus yummyness without being overly syrupy & a hit of green apple, pineapple, honey & minerality in med acidity

🎯 Med+ fresh apple, citrus & tropical trickle w/ a dry mineral honeyed pineapple slapette
— 7 years ago

Chris, E and 19 others liked this

Williams Selyem

Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Wow …, one of the tastiest W-S I’ve had in years! — 5 months ago

W. & J. Graham's

Vintage Port Blend 1985

1985 vintage. Decanted. Underrated vintage and port. 70's and 90's declared years got all the pub and ridiculous ratings. Still über-grapey but with decent structure. Another decade and a half should find this maximized for pleasure. 8.19.23. — 2 years ago

Ted, Severn and 15 others liked this

Peter Lauer

270° E-S-W Grosse Lage Riesling 2019

Off-dry. Mineral city — 4 years ago

Daniel P., Andrew and 2 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Evoke a world of taste in three words 👌

Moric

Burgenland Blaufränkisch 2017

W&S Top 100. I just had the 2016, now the 2017 appears. Blau is wow. — 6 years ago

Mark Freund
with Mark
Iwan, Douglas and 1 other liked this
Ryan Vento

Ryan Vento

I always enjoy this wine.

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2022

Somm David T
9.4

My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.

The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.

This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.

At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age.
— 10 months ago

Shay, Vanessa and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

A storied wine which I have never tasted.

Azienda Agricola Stanislao Radikon

"S" Slatnik Venezia Giulia Chardonnay Tocai Friulano 2013

ESF
9.2

Idiosyncratic orange wine that is now more rust/brown… dizzying nose - almost impossible to encapsulate: dried orange rind, yellow orchard fruit, potpourri, spice but more like herbal bitters, incense like oud, savory, burnt caramel, etc. Just amazing. Fleshy on palate, drinks bigger than one would expect. Structured if a bit lumbering, more austere on palate w/yellow pitted fruit & umami. Great length & persistence, grippy, bitter mixed w/sweet spice like cinnamon. Cerebral stuff — 4 years ago

Daniel, Lyle and 5 others liked this

Vadiaperti

Greco di Tufo 2017

W&S Top 100. Had this before? Label looks familiar. I’m photogenic. Sorry, photovoltaic. No, wrong again, photo...can I get some help here? — 6 years ago

Mark Freund
with Mark
Douglas and Ryan liked this