Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

9.432 ratings
9.49 pro ratings
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Top Notes For
Jay Eagan

A great Cabernet from a great winery

A great Cabernet from a great winery

Jul 9th, 2022
Rob Brobst III

Stunningly gorgeous! 2 hour double decant!!

Stunningly gorgeous! 2 hour double decant!!

Jul 24th, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar.

The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar.

Feb 5th, 2017
Will Phelps

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.5

Still young.

Still young.

Apr 18th, 2016
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.6

Love this wine. It's in such a pretty place right now. #josephphelps biased review

Love this wine. It's in such a pretty place right now. #josephphelps biased review

Jun 6th, 2015
David Eckert

Still waiting for this to tone down and integrate. 5 years more?

Still waiting for this to tone down and integrate. 5 years more?

Apr 25th, 2015
Mark Turner

An American bordeaux. Earthy nose, good dark fruit. Not the best vintage bust still showing well.

An American bordeaux. Earthy nose, good dark fruit. Not the best vintage bust still showing well.

Nov 24th, 2019
James B. MacDonald

A must drink at this time. Fruits are soft and blended. Velvet. Long finish. Awesome.

A must drink at this time. Fruits are soft and blended. Velvet. Long finish. Awesome.

Jul 14th, 2018
Winston Biltz

Dark fruits with cassis. Strong persistent finish. Showing plenty of finesse and body at the same time.

Dark fruits with cassis. Strong persistent finish. Showing plenty of finesse and body at the same time.

Feb 12th, 2017
Jason Duff

Yes. God bless America, especially Napa.

Yes. God bless America, especially Napa.

Jul 4th, 2016