Todd Anderson

9.5

Loved it - uncork, give it a half hour to open up, and drink now. — 2 months ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.4

Way better from large format — 3 months ago

with Shay

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. — 7 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

Served blind. I nailed the vintage, even a broken clock is right twice a day. A spectacular nose of smoke, flowers and a dose of reduction. In the mouth, intensity and freshness . Minerals & green fruit that reminded me of Chablis to start but no way given the weightlessness. Waves of crisp fruit with exceptional balance. Most producers would be happy to make a premiere cru or grand cru of this quality. It might be an overused descriptor or cliché, but this was all about pureness. According to my friend purchased on release, and locked away. A reminder of how important proper storage is. — 3 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Beautiful subtle aroma from Merlot makes it pretty. Its free spirit nose makes you feel what the wine is going to be about. Drinkable and fresh. Apparently missing weight but it doesn’t miss a bit all the way thru the tasting. The aftertaste is long and very, very pleasant after one minute. — 7 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Albeit young, 2008 Cristal is drinking very well at this point in time, even if unsurprisingly not yet showing all that it can be. Drank solo over the course of 3 hours in a Burgundy glass, it had plenty of time to evolve and express. 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 08 Cristal flaunts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh white flowers, yellow orchard fruit, baking spice, vanilla bean and crushed seashells. The palate is searingly intense with ripping citrusy acids, incredible elegance and pin point precision in its delivery before giving way to a saline and mineral infused finish that just keeps going. Again, very young, no doubt, and while already terrific, it’s easy to see what the fuss is about and how special the vintage will be down the road. But in my opinion there’s no harm in drinking now if you accept and enjoy the stage it will be in. — 2 years ago

Inseon Hwang

10

Balanced deep minerals. Tobacco, graphite give way to purple fruit and ripe berries. — 3 months ago

Florent Peyre

9.2

Such a great way to finish the night — 3 months ago

brando cox

9.3

2001 Musar is a great way to start to an amazing week. A delicate blend of Cabernet Savignon, Cinsault and Carignan aged in oak for over a year. At its peak from my cellar - 23 years later it's showing notes of dried cherries, cassis, prunes, some leathery vanilla oakyness. The complexity is off the charts and I'm getting aromas of smokey Tennessee tobacco barn and cherry bramble which is a combo I never imagined I would want so bad. The structure is light and balanced. Silky smooth acidity and fine tannins which is a hallmark of this exquisite wine. — 7 months ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.6

Demi bottle & perfect split for two ! Great way to begin the evening. — 3 years ago