Bob McDonald

9.1

Generally one of the best Cabernets in Margaret River and therefore Australia. Very dark Ruby in colour. Cassis and blackberry, ripe and rich. I would never pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Where are the herbal notes? But still recognisable as a quality Cabernet. The 2009 Moss Wood was given a poor score of only 84 points by Huon Hooke who is one of Australia’s leading wine scribes. He said “over ripe fruit is the problem “. I have always rated Huon’s reviews and have been a long time subscriber to his website and always will be but I don’t believe he got this right. On 4th July 2012 he said “I can’t see this ageing well” and gave a drinking window of 2012 to 2018. Well tonight at 15 years of age it is drinking very well. James Halliday gave the wine 95 points. — 13 days 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. — 24 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2010 vintage. Classic Pauillac with ripe cassis, lead pencil, and cedar wood. Still very young, but a class act. Concentrated, profound, and impeccably balanced, with layers of black fruit, a serious structure of haute couture tannins and balancing acidity. Long, mineral finish. Impressive, but nowhere near its peak. — 2 months ago

Michael Rae

10

Absolutely smashing. Great balance and covertly boozy. Toffee-ish ballast resolves into bright red fruits. So drink-able — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium deep ruby , medium wide ruby rim . A bit more mineral , oyster shell, and dark cassis on the nose , wood spice touches . On the palate quite mineral and dark fruit focused , blackcurrant , cassis . Good focus on the palate , saline with good acidity and grippy but ripe tannins . Promising , though needs time , better in 10 years and will last a further 10-15 . — 8 days ago

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. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.4

Vintage 1995 | Vanilla, forrest wood, true to type, well balanced but also tannins - very good effort — 19 days ago

Jeff Christner

9.3

Wow!! The finish!! 13% — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Fundemex jbeckman — 2 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.5

Screaming blast of tart lemon acidity. Not very pleasant. Beautiful light yellow with tiny scrubbing bubbles. After about 15-20 minutes a type of weighted creamy mid-palate makes me smile. Way too young, but simply luscious and lifted with a long, caressing finish. — 4 months ago