Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Ovation Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
Great example of how proper storage can preserve almost any wine. Drinking fresh, very intact fruit, oak still integrating. Surprised us all with its vintage. True to Carneros CH in many ways.
Great example of how proper storage can preserve almost any wine. Drinking fresh, very intact fruit, oak still integrating. Surprised us all with its vintage. True to Carneros CH in many ways.
Jun 8th, 2018
It's held up well. Nice lemon, nutty, toasty notes.
It's held up well. Nice lemon, nutty, toasty notes.
Jan 26th, 2014
Stunning. Beautiful semi-oxidized bottle that has aged incredibly. Deeply honeyed yellow. The nose of candied pear, Anjou. Carmel and Cracker Jack box. Butter. Creamy sweet corn. Subtle oak. Acid and depth on the attack. Most fruit on the palette has faded. Oak shows. Finished relatively short. Temperature and drinking window comparable to an old white Burg, must be quite cold and should be enjoyed over no more than 5-10 minutes in the glass. Edit: hour 1, spectacular. Mouth feel is flawless, nose is just beautiful. This wine is the closest to aged white burg I've ever seen come from Napa.
Stunning. Beautiful semi-oxidized bottle that has aged incredibly. Deeply honeyed yellow. The nose of candied pear, Anjou. Carmel and Cracker Jack box. Butter. Creamy sweet corn. Subtle oak. Acid and depth on the attack. Most fruit on the palette has faded. Oak shows. Finished relatively short. Temperature and drinking window comparable to an old white Burg, must be quite cold and should be enjoyed over no more than 5-10 minutes in the glass. Edit: hour 1, spectacular. Mouth feel is flawless, nose is just beautiful. This wine is the closest to aged white burg I've ever seen come from Napa.
Feb 27th, 2017
My second, and sadly my last, bottle in the past six months of the '95 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation' was as delightful as the first. Also a bright clear gold, the white stone fruit and minty oak aromas were intoxicating. Some honeyed apricot and brown spice flavors then coated the tongue with enough acidity to keep things fresh and crisp. A long juicy finish with spicy notes on the aftertaste.
My second, and sadly my last, bottle in the past six months of the '95 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation' was as delightful as the first. Also a bright clear gold, the white stone fruit and minty oak aromas were intoxicating. Some honeyed apricot and brown spice flavors then coated the tongue with enough acidity to keep things fresh and crisp. A long juicy finish with spicy notes on the aftertaste.
Mar 31st, 2015The best wine so far from my buried stash of mid-90s Chards is the bright clear gold '95 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation' from Napa Valley. Still plenty of spicy pear and pear aromas followed by a rich mouthfeel that persists with ripe stone fruit flavors through the lengthy spice-laced finish.
The best wine so far from my buried stash of mid-90s Chards is the bright clear gold '95 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation' from Napa Valley. Still plenty of spicy pear and pear aromas followed by a rich mouthfeel that persists with ripe stone fruit flavors through the lengthy spice-laced finish.
Sep 29th, 2014Another surprise from my long buried trove of 90's Chards was the deep gold '94 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation'. Also long passed its ideal drinking window, this oldie still showed some unctuous ripe pear flavors with well-oaked overtones that blended together nicely on the persistent finish. Most commendable!
Another surprise from my long buried trove of 90's Chards was the deep gold '94 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 'Ovation'. Also long passed its ideal drinking window, this oldie still showed some unctuous ripe pear flavors with well-oaked overtones that blended together nicely on the persistent finish. Most commendable!
Sep 27th, 2014