Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2002
Sep 03 '05
The Bottom Line Both seasoned wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers will like this one. Rated 92 by Wine Spectator magazine.
This wine captures the essence and flavor of my favorite Napa Valley Cabs over the past two decades: fruity, rich, full and big (14.5% ABV), with a balanced, round finish. When I think of my favorite California Cabs, this is the type of wine I think about:
Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume.
Production: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), Petit Verdot (8%), Merlot (6%), and Cabernet Franc (3%). Fruit from Joseph Phelps' Napa Valley vineyards and some independent Napa producers. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 20 months in a combination of new and old oak barrels (40% of which were new French and American oak, the remainder being four-year old French and American oak). Blended and bottled in August 2003.
Appearance: Crimson and dark plum color in the the glass, dark and concentrated, with a thin trim of dark lavender at the edges. Young and exuberant.
Aroma: Cedar spice, plums and cherry. Fresh and fruity with a pleasing resinous/woody counterpoint.
Flavor: Spicy black cherry fills the mouth, taking a turn to blackcurrant that spars with woody, resinous tones of cedar and light sagebrush while avoiding some of the more medicinal, phenolic tones (tar, iodine, creosote, vanilla) one might expect in other California Cabs (e.g., Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, Geyser Peak Sonoma County Cabernet). Ends round, dry, silky and pleasingly long with light finish of mocha. Some may find this wine a little simple, but I like it for its wonderful fruit expression. Vegetative tones of green bean, artichoke and tobacco are restrained as the stage is dominated by blackcurrant, cherry and cedar.
Price and Availability: Retails for about $45 and available from winetasting.com (the winery's retail partner) at $48 per bottle. I purchased a couple bottles of this wine at Costco for just under $40 per bottle.
Recommendations: Would pair with a variety of grilled meats. Works well with chocolate-based deserts. But I enjoy it best on its own. It's the wine I'm drinking right now, as I am preparing for my afternoon session with a Royal Jamaica Churchill cigar--the last from my humidor. This wine is ready to drink now, and wine critic James Laube (Wine Spectator) recommends it through 2011.
Verdict: Rated 92 by Wine Spectator magazine. I may be a tad bit more generous in my ranking, as this is the type of easy-drinking Cab that I really, really like. Both seasoned wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers will enjoy this one.
Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 19/20
Flavor/Body: 38/40
Finish: 9/10
Overall Quality: 23/25
------------------------------
My Score: 93 -- 4¾ stars.
More Information: http://www.jpvwines.com/jpvwines/pdf/02cab.pdf
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a product of Kobrand Corporation (http://www.kobrandwine.com/). Other California wineries under this umbrella include, among others: Benziger, Cakebread, Foley, Lincourt (love their Petit Syrah) & St. Francis (love their Old Vines Zinfandel). French brands include Louis Jadot and Taittinger.
http://www.kobrandwine.com/press/images/jpv004nsd090305.pdf
Wine Enthusiasts' “American Winery of the Year” award for 2003
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
4-1-1
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Tom Carr
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 1090
Trusted by: 689 members
About Me:
Go U.S.C.!!!
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.