Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
A warm up to our visit there tomorrow with @Shay A. Joseph Phelps doesn’t even make single varietal Merlot anymore. In fact, they currently don’t have any Merlot to add to their Insignia over the last 2 or 3 vintages and several more vintages going forward. They replanted all their Merlot a few years ago. This 02 has held up nicely with 3-5 more years left. On the nose; nice bright dark fresh & dry florals with violets, dark currants, ripe & slightly baked black plums, plum; dark cherries, blackberries, medium dark spice, loamy dry top soil, dry crush rocks, well steeped black tea, dark turned earth & soft, evenly layered baking spices. The body is medium to full with the tannins still showing some baby teeth. The fruits are ripe, ruby with a slight baked quality. Black plum, blackberries, plum, dark cherries, notes of fig/dates, black raspberries, raspberries, notes of blueberries, strawberries & rhubarb as it opens, medium dark spice with lifting palate heat, anise, loamy dry top soil, dry crush rocks, well steeped tea, dark turned earth & soft, evenly layered baking spices, dry herbaceous notes, dry stems, soft layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, caramel, bright dark fresh & dry florals with violets, nice round acidity with a minute finish that runs fruity to slightly dry. The texture is lovely. The structure, tension, length & balance are spot on. So nice to drink the older Phelps wines. This wine put on weight in the decanter over an hour & a half.
A warm up to our visit there tomorrow with @Shay A. Joseph Phelps doesn’t even make single varietal Merlot anymore. In fact, they currently don’t have any Merlot to add to their Insignia over the last 2 or 3 vintages and several more vintages going forward. They replanted all their Merlot a few years ago. This 02 has held up nicely with 3-5 more years left. On the nose; nice bright dark fresh & dry florals with violets, dark currants, ripe & slightly baked black plums, plum; dark cherries, blackberries, medium dark spice, loamy dry top soil, dry crush rocks, well steeped black tea, dark turned earth & soft, evenly layered baking spices. The body is medium to full with the tannins still showing some baby teeth. The fruits are ripe, ruby with a slight baked quality. Black plum, blackberries, plum, dark cherries, notes of fig/dates, black raspberries, raspberries, notes of blueberries, strawberries & rhubarb as it opens, medium dark spice with lifting palate heat, anise, loamy dry top soil, dry crush rocks, well steeped tea, dark turned earth & soft, evenly layered baking spices, dry herbaceous notes, dry stems, soft layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, caramel, bright dark fresh & dry florals with violets, nice round acidity with a minute finish that runs fruity to slightly dry. The texture is lovely. The structure, tension, length & balance are spot on. So nice to drink the older Phelps wines. This wine put on weight in the decanter over an hour & a half.
Feb 3rd, 2018The sweetest black and red fruits. Dry blackberries, black plum, dry dark cherries, dry cranberries, rhubarb. They are almost liqueur like. Dark sweet black earth, sweet minerality, sweet tobacco leaf, baking spices, sweet Asian spice, sweet leather and an elegant finish that simply doesn't stop. Out of of 3L with perfect winery & Eurocave storage.
The sweetest black and red fruits. Dry blackberries, black plum, dry dark cherries, dry cranberries, rhubarb. They are almost liqueur like. Dark sweet black earth, sweet minerality, sweet tobacco leaf, baking spices, sweet Asian spice, sweet leather and an elegant finish that simply doesn't stop. Out of of 3L with perfect winery & Eurocave storage.
1 person found it helpfulJun 4th, 2016
Bit subdued on the nose, but wonderfully expressive, spicy finish. (Magnum.)
Bit subdued on the nose, but wonderfully expressive, spicy finish. (Magnum.)
Feb 12th, 2016More tannic than the 91 Merlot. Nicely resolved, coco powder, black raspberry, black cherry, slightly herbal, nutmeg, strawberry cherry liqueur and long dry dusty finish.
More tannic than the 91 Merlot. Nicely resolved, coco powder, black raspberry, black cherry, slightly herbal, nutmeg, strawberry cherry liqueur and long dry dusty finish.
Jul 5th, 2015Out of 3L. Soft black, blue and red fruits. Hint of spice and leather. Super resolved and integrated. Heaven on the palate.
Out of 3L. Soft black, blue and red fruits. Hint of spice and leather. Super resolved and integrated. Heaven on the palate.
Jul 5th, 2015
Very dark and rich in color and body. Buttery, ripe herbal, spicy, dark ripe fruits. Firm tannins, polished wine. #enophilia
Very dark and rich in color and body. Buttery, ripe herbal, spicy, dark ripe fruits. Firm tannins, polished wine. #enophilia
Oct 27th, 2013
1997 Joseph Phelps MERLOT
Crystal clear in the glass yet full bodied.
Earthy, sweet & mineraly with nicely balanced fruit. Hard to imagine all those tastes in one varietal but it exist with every sip.
1997 Joseph Phelps MERLOT
Crystal clear in the glass yet full bodied.
Earthy, sweet & mineraly with nicely balanced fruit. Hard to imagine all those tastes in one varietal but it exist with every sip.
