Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 20 days ago

Will Meinberg

Sales Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

9.4

Now that's Bordeaux! A purity of fruit with a compliment of oak. Balance is restored. Young but friendly. #oldschool #oldworld — 10 years ago

Andrew F Bell

1982 great nose. Great grip, fascinating #oldschool — 10 years ago

Vino Kaela

9.2

With the roughly 4+ years of bottle age this was showing nicely albeit at its peak. Lovely black fruits danced with warm Spivey notes and the palate was full and balanced. Very happy I didn’t pull the cork on this wine early.
#cazinfandel #oldschool #classic #ridgevineyards — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; half baked & half stewed, ripe fruits. Blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, strong anise, black cherry cola, vanilla, cinnamon, wood shavings, loamy soils, volcanic minerals, violets and fresh dark florals. The body is medium with the tannins nearly completely resolved. The fruits are ripe & juicy and come in waves over the palate. Blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries, strong anise, black cherry cola, vanilla, cinnamon, liqueur notes, heavily steeped black fruit tea, wood shavings, touch of leather, dry crushed rock powder, dry herbs, dry stems, loamy soils, volcanic minerals, violets and fresh dark florals. The acidity rains over the palate. The structure is soft, the length long & elegant, well balanced and the beautiful finish lasts over a minute. Still in good shape but needs to be enjoyed inside of three years. After 20 years in the bottle, she has become an elegant beauty! Photos of; their tasting bar, tasting room exterior, wine lab hovering over barrel room and their Estate. Still one of the very few places in Napa you can taste 4-5 wines at no charge. #oldschool #respect — 8 years ago

Erik McLaughlin

Vice President Seven Hills Winery

9.2

Exhibit "A" in the refutation of the premise that Napa can't make either great, age worthy Pinot. @saintsbury #oldschool #pinotnoir — 10 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

John had this 7 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.2

Napa wines are where I got my start and '97-'02 was my playtime, it's great to taste an excellent wine like this 15 years later when people back then said Napa would only age 6-10 years tops. Many like this one can go 20, or in some cases 30 years. Cheers to the #oldschool which seems to be the #newschool. — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

8.9

#oldschool #nebbiolo — 9 years ago

with Eric

Ben Leger

Simply one of the bet there is in Italy. #sangiovese #tuscany #oldschool #classic — 10 years ago