Joseph Phelps Private Tasting
Dan has sponsored and hosted visits to the magnificent Phelps estate vineyards and winery in Napa Valley for our wine group including this fabulous tasting as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience back in 2017 - .Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery Tasting.
Dan has brought or served Phelps ultra-premium selections to many of our Pour Boys group wine tastings as well as serving them at his daughter’ Hillary’s wedding.
So it was that when Joseph Phelps considered Chicagoland members of their club for private tastings, Dan was chosen to host such an event.
Our Pour Boys wine group was represented by Dan, me, Lyle, and Bill who came in from Charleston, via Napa Valley, SFO and Lake Tahoe, for the occasion.
We were joined by long time dear friend, Jared Gelband, Wine Director of Italian Village Chicago, where and with whom we often frequent for special tastings, wine dinners, work team and family dinners - as featured often in these pages -
The guests included Dan’s and my Linda’s as part of the group of Linda’s in attendance.
Dan put out a broad selection to hors d’ovres, charcuteries including special sausages, cheeses and small bytes for the tasting.
The Joe Phelps estates today consist of eleven different vineyards in the acclaimed AVAs across Napa Valley and the western Sonoma Coast. Today’s flight featured wines from the Sonoma Coast and premiere Napa Valley sites.
Joseph Phelps wine ambassador Christine came to Chicago and curated a special tasting of Phelps wines at Dan’s residence in northwest Indiana.
The Phelps wine flight consisted of their Ovation sparkling wine, Freestone Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the Phelps line-up of premium and ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons.
The wine flight:
Phelps Ovation Sparkling Wine 2018
Phelps Freestone Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The Ovation sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are sourced from Phelps estate vineyards on the western Sonoma Coastal area near the town of their namesake, Freestone. Freestone's wines are defined by two distinct estate vineyards: Pastorale and Quarter Moon. Each site, nestled on the fog-swept, rugged edge of the Sonoma Coast, possesses a unique terroir that imparts singular characteristics. The vineyards benefit from persistent coastal fog, sculpting winds, and soils shaped by ancient marine sediments, creating a micro-climate unlike any other.
In 2015, Phelps produced the winery’s first sparkling wine called Ovation, to honor the extraordinary life of Joe Phelps. It was comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Pastorale Vineyards.
Ovation is typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (e.g., 80/20 or 78/22).
Phelps Freestone Western Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Winemaker’s notes - “This Chardonnay from Pastorale Vineyard opens with bright, perfumed aromas of lemon citrus, white flowers, and a hint of lemon custard that suggests subtle richness.”
Winemaker’s notes - “This 2023 Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir is considerably savory, showcasing the darker, more structured side of the appellation. Black cherry and blackberry provide depth and concentration, while cranberry and pomegranate bring vibrant acidity. Sage and dried Mediterranean herbs create a complex profile that balances fruit and herbal elements. Elevated acidity and firm tannins give the wine a structured backbone that calls for food pairing.”
Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The Joseph Phelps 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by fruit from Yountville and Suscol; only 21% of the blend is from growers, as there's a push toward estate fruit. As always, there's some American oak in the mix, but that proportion is evolving downward.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Merlot.
The wine was aged for sixteen months in 48% new oak (50% French, 50% American) and 52% used French and American oak barrels before bottling
This release was rated 94 points by James Suckling, 92 by Vinous, 91 by Jeb Dunnuck and 90 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
Winemaker’s notes - “Our Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an enticing bouquet of black and red fruits - juicy black cherry intertwined with fresh pomegranate and bright cassis. Notes of cedar spice and toasted coconut add intrigue and sophistication to the aromatic profile. On the palate, layers of raspberry compote and dried wild berries unfold across a full-bodied frame. The wine shows impressive density while maintaining elegance, supported by well integrated tannins that provide structure without overwhelming. This is a wine of both power and finesse.”
https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4877025
Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Insignia is sourced from up to eight Napa Valley estate vineyards planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted on select sites.
It is 100% estate grown from Phelps vineyards:
28% Yountville Vineyars in the Oak Knoll District
27% Banca Dorada Vineyards in Rutherford
19% Las Rocas Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District
11% Home Ranch Vineyard in ST. Helena
9% Suscol Vineyard in South Napa Valley, and
6% Barboza Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District
It was aged 24 Months in 100% New French Oak
Winemaker notes - “The 2021 Insignia captivates the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, and wild blackberry, subtly accented by fresh earth and a hint of Tahitian vanilla. On the palate, these dark fruit characteristics are harmonized with warm tones of redwood bark and baking spices. Plush, soft tannins and bright acidity enhance the length, complementing the rich fruit and savory undertones. A compelling tension infuses the wine with focused energy, promising it will express beautifully for years to come.”
Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
This single vineyard designated label is 100% from the Phelps estate Backus Vineyard, a 21-acre site on the eastern slopes of Oakville, Napa Valley in the Oakville AVA.
From Oakville’s Backus Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers plush notes of blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry compote, accented by cedarwood, warm clove, and a savory hint of black olive. Iron-tinged minerality adds firmness and depth to the profile. Plush yet structured, the palate finishes with mocha, black tea, and refined tannins that promise graceful aging for years to come.
Backus is a Phelps Preferred exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon. You must be an active Member and login to your account to access this rare wine.
