Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Main course is a Beef Tenderloin Roast with Rosemary, Crispy Duck Fat Potatoes, Sautéed Greens. The beef is among the most tender (cut it with a fork) & flavorful we’ve had.

From magnum. The nose shows; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, anise, dry soils, dry crushed rocks, some graphite, cigar, dark, rich earth, blue/purple fruit cola, very soft dark spice with blue and purple florals set in lavender.

The body full, lush & thick. The tannins, rounded, tarry and velvety chewy. The structure & tension have hit its stride but, a little leaner than I’m used to in a Phelps Cabernet. The length and balance are exactly what I expect from them. It’s elegant, ripe & juicy. Dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, anise to black licorice, cinnamon, soft clove, vanilla, nutmeg, dry soils, dry crushed rocks, moist clay some graphite, cigar, leather, limestone, dry herbs, dark, rich earth, blue/purple fruit cola, very soft dark spice with blue and purple florals set in lavender. The acidity is a gentle rain shower. The long finish is delicious and persists into a dark spice.

Perfect with Hedy’s Boeuf.

Wine is peaking in Magnum with another 5-8 years ahead.

The “Truth” which, is the very bottom, concentrated part of the bottle is a 9.3.

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅🤶🎁🦌❄️⛄️🍷

I opened this bottle a few nights ago. It's still drinking nicely tonight but it does show that it's had a fair amount of air. The other night it was throwing huge amounts of coconut. Generally, a sign of a fair amount of American oak use. The wine is nicely resolved. Tannins are still present but are quite smooth. Ripe and juice blackberries with pancakes, blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, violets, touch of lavender, dried red roses, coconut, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & a hint of vanilla, underbrush, granulated volcanic minerals, crushed dry rocks in rich, moist dark soil, black tea, black cherry cola/licorice, soft suede style leather, fresh tobacco leaf, beautiful acidity, length, smooth even tension & a nice balance of fruit & earth in the long, ripe, elegant finish that lasts over a minute. Maybe, 9.3 when the bottle was fresher but it's still very nice tonight. The 05 will drink well another 5-10 years easily...proper storage of course.

I've had their 05 out of 750ml and now from magnum. While the 750ml was a little farther advanced then I would have liked it (still delicious), the 1500 was in top form. Even better the next night.

First check on this 05. Thought it might still be big and austere but it's fully ready. It's not going to continue to evolve toward its peak. It's there! Nice dark currents, sweet spice, soft minerals and smooth earthiness.

Out of magnum, in a great place right now but can easily go another 10 years. Perfect amount of fruit right now, and the tannins have softened beautifully. Biased review #josephphelps

From magnum. Biased review. #josephphelps #anv15

Ripe blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, plum, black cherry cola, rosemary, thyme (although that fads a bit as it opens up), graphite, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and light caramel and vanilla toast. The tannins are starting to resolve nicely. Drink now or hold for another 5-7 years if you prefer them on the older side.

Out of magnum.

Steak wine

Enjoyed this 2005 vintage on 5/24/2020; the wine had a nice aroma, but lost most is its tannins, a little flat on the after taste