Showing posts with label Joseph Phelps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joseph Phelps. Show all posts

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Joseph Phelps Private Tasting

Joseph Phelps Private Tasting

Fellow Pour Boy (our wine group), Dan, is a long time wine club member and procurer of Joseph Phelps wines. He has an extensive vertical collection of Phelp’s wines including their flagship Insignia and ultra-premium Backus labels spanning more than a decade. 

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 - 

Italian Village appoints Jared Gelband Wine Director

Sassicaia Owner Dinner and Vivere Vertical Tasting


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.

These are limited release wines allocated for availability through the Phelps wine club. 

Phelps Ovation Brut Sparkling Wine 2018

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. 

Joseph Phelps notes -  “Ovation – Freestone Vineyards” sparkling wine is produced from estate fruit grown at the Freestone Ranch on the far Sonoma Coast, a region known for its cool climate and coastal fog. Joseph Phelps Vineyards began developing the Freestone property in the late 1990s, marking a major expansion from their original Napa Valley roots. “Ovation” reflects the winery’s commitment to crafting méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine with long lees aging and meticulous vineyard sourcing.”

Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Ovation Brut is a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine from the Sonoma Coast's Freestone Estate vineyards, primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, known for its fine bubbles, bright acidity, and complex notes of citrus, stone fruit, brioche, and toasted nuts. It's crafted with long lees aging, resulting in a creamy texture and elegant structure that develops with bottle age, showcasing the cool-climate terroir. 

Ovation is typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (e.g., 80/20 or 78/22). 

“The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.” 

The 2018 has firm acid structure and tension with additional flavor benefits following cellar aging.
The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.

Straw colored, medium bodied, “The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.” 

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards

Phelps Freestone Western Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Phelps acquired properties in western Sonoma County in Freestone in 1999 where they planted vineyards and built a winemaking facility. The area traditionally known for cattle, pasture and forest land, has ideal conditions for growing ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. Just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the micro-climate is regularly shrouded in a marine layer of fog that lingers into the early afternoon on most summer days, surrendering to afternoon sunshine. The area’s Goldridge soils are ideal for growing quality grape varietals. 

Phelps planted the Pastorale Vineyard on what was a former dairy farm, to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in 2000. A year later, they planted the Quarter Moon Vineyard down the road entirely to Pinot Noir in 2001. 

This Chardonnay is a blend assembled from four blocks within the Pastorale Vineyard in Freestone on the western Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay blocks include clone 2A, Mt. Eden, Hyde Old Wente, Montrachet, Maro, and Old and New Calera. 

It is 100% Chardonnay from the Pastorale Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, from Clone selection includes Mt Eden, 2A, 76, Old Calera, New Calera, Maro Barrel Aging: The wine was aged for fifteen months in 58% new French Oak and 42% used French oak puncheons before bottling

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.”


Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023  

This 2023 release is 100% Pinot Noir from the Quarter Moon Vineyard in the West Sonoma Coast AVA comprised of  Clone Selections: 459, 777, 828, Calera, and Pommard, 115. It was barrel aged for thirteen months in 52% new French Oak and 48% one-to-three year-old French oak barrels before bottling.

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.” 

Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon from Backus Vineyard

Syrah from Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards

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

In 1974, the idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in America and in the Napa Valley. A true visionary, Joe Phelps was one of the first American winemakers to see the merit in blending, proving his conviction when he debuted “Insignia” in 1974. According to Robert Parker, “Insignia remains one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends.”

Phelps created “‘Insignia”, to signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage. Insignia would quickly become the seminal wine of Joseph Phelps’ legacy.”

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.

The 2022 release is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 

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 

It was rated 96-98 Points by Jeb Dunnuck.

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 

Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard is a highly-coveted, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, known for its power, structure, and aging potential, often compared to Bordeaux wines. It's made from grapes grown on a specific hillside, aged in 100% new French oak, and features intense flavors of dark fruit, spice, and earth, with a muscular, long finish. It is distinct from Phelps's multi-vineyard Insignia blend, as Backus is released in limited quantities and designed for long-term cellaring. Considered a wine that requires significant bottle age (often a decade or more) and can last for decades. 

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.  

It is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for twenty-four months in 100% new French oak barrels before bottling.

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.


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Sunday, December 7, 2025

Oakville Grill and Cellar, Fulton Market, Chicago

Oakville Grill and Cellar, Fulton Market, Chicago

Sunday evening, we dined in the City, in Chicago’s Fulton Market district at the tony, trendy,  Oakville Grill and Cellar with fellow Pour Boys Lyle and Dan of our Wine Group. 

The upscale eatery, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, is stylish, rustic, contemporary California design and decorating, light, bright, airy, with an upbeat energetic vibe. 



The dining room and adjacent bar were festively decorated for the holiday season. 


Oakville Grill prepares California inspired Midwestern cuisine. Their “Quality Statement” says “The menus are inspired by the team’s partnerships with farms, ranches, and wineries throughout California and the Midwest ….  simply prepared dishes made with expertly sourced, seasonal ingredients.”

While unfortunately unavailable tonight, Lyle and Dan would’ve liked the normally offered as sides, ‘warm sourdough by middle brow, house-whipped butter’, and, ‘housemade focaccia bread with calabrian chili, olive truck olive oil’.

For my dinner entree, based on the extraordinary wines available, I ordered the filet of beef - ‘Creekstone filet au poivre, classic peppercorn sauce, mashed yellow finn potatoes and crispy parsley’.


Linda ordered the ‘coal roasted branzino with oven roasted tomato and buckley swiss chard’.



Dan ordered the ‘Harrison's Farm’s duck breast confit with farro risotto and local root vegetables’.


Linda ordered the ‘wood-fired brick chicken gilroy garlic confit, preserved lemon jus’.


The Oakville Grill and Cellar wine program specifically cites a “deliberate focus on high-quality, lesser-known California regions like Santa Barbara County and Santa Ynez Valley AVA’s”, as well as premiere high profile Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara regions and their sub-regions. 
Wines are organized by the varietal, then region. 

The Oakville Cellars wine selection features an extraordinary, magnificent 48 page leather bound wine list with an extensive selection of 750 plus premium, ultra-premium and cult California producers’ labels - some with multiple vintages, some with a broad rare and extensive special bottling offerings. 

There are seven pages devoted to the Reserve List of rare, highly allocated and super premium labels. 
There are also several pages of Half bottles, Large Format bottles, and a small selection of WBTG - Wines By the Glass. 

Dan and Lyle have dined there several times and have become accustomed to taking advantage of their BYOB policy. Tonight, we each brought favorite producers and special labels from our cellars for dinner.

In order of tasting … 

Lyle brought a Sangiovese Brunello

Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino 2018

We started with this Sangiovese based Brunello that Lyle brought from his cellar, since, as we expected, it was more delicate, than the bigger, bold Napa Cabs. This was ideal, better suited perhaps than the Big Reds, with the lighter entrees, the chicken, branzino, and even the duck. 

I wrote about this popular producer in detail in a previous blogpost - BYOB Brunello Italian Wine and Dine at Angeli’s Italian Naperville.

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2024/11/byob-brunello-italian-wine-and-dine-at.html

This highly acclaimed release was rated 95 points by James Suckling, 93 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, and 92 points by Wine Spectator, Decanter and Vinous.  

Winemaker Notes - “Ruby-red with a garnet rim, this wine's bouquet displays ample aromas of violet, wild berries, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. On the palate, Altesino Brunello is rich, full-bodied, and velvety.”

Ruby-garnet colored, medium bodied, smooth, polished, full round dark raspberry and berry fruits with notes of tobacco, chocolate, dusty earth, dried flowers and black tea with fine soft tannins on the lingering finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4481252

http://www.altesino.it/en/altesino/

Dan brought a Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet. 

Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Our Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery Visit and Tasting, arranged and hosted by Dan, as featured in this blogpost, was a highlight of our Pour Boys 2017 Sonoma/Napa Wine Experience - a private tasting at the spectacular Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Winery hospitality center. 

The magnificent Phelps winery, tasting facility sits overlooking Phelp's vineyards nestled in its own Spring Valley above St Helena on the western facing foothills of the Vaca range that form the eastern face of Napa Valley. 

Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in the Napa Valley, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on eight estate vineyards in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros and South Napa Valley. 

Phelps is best known for its flagship Napa Valley blend of red Bordeaux varietals, Insignia, first produced in 1974. Awarded Wine Spectator's "Wine of the Year" in 2005. Equally revered is this highly allocated single vineyard designated label from the esteemed estate Backus Vineyard in Oakville. Dan has an extensive collection of this label, procured as part of his Phelp’s Wine Club allocations over the years. 

As I noted in these page when Dan served this wine at his daughter Hillary’s wedding, Gala celebration dinner features Phelps Backus - Insignia Napa Cabernets, you know its a special wine when each bottle label has its own serial number. Such is the premier selection of the Joseph Phelps collection.

This release was rated 96 points by Jeb Dunnuck and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and 93-96 points by  Vinous. 

The 2014 Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon  is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec and was aged in 100% new French oak.

Dark garnet/purple colored, full bodied, opulent, hedonistic, rich and concentrated black berry and black currant fruits with notes of cassis, dark mocha chocolate, earth, clove spice, graphite, truffle and cedar, with ripe tannins on a long finish. 

RM 95 points.


Then, for a comparison of a bottle we drank the previous evening at another dinner gathering, I brought a vintage Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet.

Lamborn Howell Mountain Generation I Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 

Lamborn Family Vineyards is a small boutique family operation focused on distinctive terroir handcrafted Estate Cabernets and Zinfandel from their vineyards high up Howell Mountain, 10 minutes outside of the small town of Angwin in the northern Napa Valley Howell Mountain appellation. At an elevation of 2200 feet, the property is above the 1200 ft. Napa Valley fog line, the line of demarcation between Napa Valley and Howell Mtn AVA’s. With it’s near summit elevation, it occasionally experiences some winter snowfall - in February 2022 they got nearly 14 inches, blocking roads and toppling trees.

Lamborn Family Vineyards was started in 1971 when Bob and Mike Lamborn, a father and his adult son, purchased 40 acres on Howell Mountain. Eight acres are planted to vines. The 1982 debut vintage was made by winemaker Randy Dunn, a friend and neighbor. The legendary acclaimed winemaker Heidi Barrett started making Lamborn wines in 1996. 

We visited the wonderful and hospitable Mike and Terry Lamborn at their estate high atop Howell Mountain during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008 (shown below). 

Mike and Terry Lamborn with wine buddy Andy, sister
Jan, Linda, and brother-in-law Bill

This Lamborn Howell Mountain Cabernet is very similar to the Outpost Howell Mountain 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon label we tasted earlier this weekend, one vintage removed, and sourced from vines literally across the road from each other, that years earlier, prior to 1998, were part of the same vineyard. That wine was featured in this blogpost - Big Reds Celebrate Big Red Win.

At twenty-two years, this is showing no discernable signs of aging, except for the dry but otherwise perfect cork that started to separate on opening. Of course the label is perfect, since it’s painted onto the glass of the large, oversize heavy bottle. 

Robert Parker wrote, “there is no question that there are some surprisingly youthful 2003s that will last much longer than any of us thought at their inception.”

This 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was aged 22 months in French oak of which 35% was new. It is a big red packaged in a heavy, oversize, premium painted glass in lieu of label bottle. 

Dark garnet colored, full bodied, classic intense Howell Mountain black fruits with complex rich textured  notes of cassis, licorice, spice and earth with a pleasant, smooth tannin lingering finish. 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.theoakville.com/
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Saturday, October 4, 2025

Pour Boys ‘Winers & Diners’ Gala Wine Dinner

Pour Boys ‘Winers & Diners’ Gala Cityscape Wine Dinner    

Our Pour Boys wine group gathered in Chicago at Lyle and Terry’s for their nearly annual ‘Winers & Diners’ Cityscape end of summer wine dinner. On a beautiful waning summer/autumn evening, we started on their fabulous deck with partial views of the city skyline, for hors d'oeuvres, appetizers and soup.  

Joining the host and hostess Lyle and Terry, and daughter Abbie, were John coming in from Williamsburg, Ernie, Dan and Linda, coming in from Indiana, Beth and Bill, coming in from Charleston, Leslie and Jorg, and Linda and me (not shown, taking picture).


As usual, Terry and Lyle assisted by their niece, Adrienne Busatti, prepared and served a spectacular extensive menu for the fabulous formal sit-down dinner.

Appetizers: 

Hot individual grilled lamb ribs

Cold shrimp with cocktail sauce

Cheezes, crackers, multiple preparations of deviled eggs, 

Spicy pumpkin soup 





Dinner:

Grilled tenderloin of beef 

Garlic red potatoes

Suspiciously delicious cabbage

Charred asparagus with bacon & truffle salt

Dessert course:

Terry’s incredible signature Mandarin orange cake 

Aunt Iris's Ohio Apple cake

Profiteroles filled with ice cream and sauces or fruit


Followed by Autumn chocolates. Fresh raspberries, shelled pistachios and mixed nuts on the table …

As usual we assembled a fabulous wine flight for each course of the evening starting with Champagnes, White Wines, Red Wines and finishing with Vintage Port. 

John O'Brien rejoined the group traveling in from Williamsburg, and ‘Champagne John’ brought his customary flight of ultra-premium Champagnes -

Krug Brut Champagne 2004 
Bollinger La Grande Annee Champagne 2015

We were rejoined by Jorge and Leslie Balandrin who brought from their home cellar a selection of fabulous ultra-premium white wines …


La Poussie Sancerre 2022
E. Guigal La Doriane Condrieu 2023
Kongsgard Napa Valley Carneros Chardonnay 2021

We then moved to a broad extensive flight of reds featuring red blends from the Right Bank, then the Left Bank of Bordeaux, following by a line-up of usual suspects, our favorite producers’ flagship labels. 

As usual, I spent time carefully preparing and tasting the wines to establish the suggested tasting order for the evening, as shown below, accordingly, which was curated and validated throughout the evening:
 

Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2005
Château Lafon Rochet St Estephe Grand Cru Classe 2005 
Château Leoville Las Cases Grand vin Leoville du Marquis St Julien 2016 
Château Cos d’Estournel St Estephe Grand Cru Classe 2009

Moving to the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons … 

Plumpjack Founder’s Reserve Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1996
Hall Wines Napa Valley Kathryn Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 
Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Bosche’ Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

 Following with the dessert course accompaniment:

Niepoort Vintage Port 1997 

Many thanks to Lyle and Terry for hosting, and to those that traveled from afar, and to everyone for bringing some spectacular wines for a joyous and memorable evening. 

PS. 

Notes and Notable - 

WOTN - Wine of the Night for several (including me) was the Phelps Insignia - dark and brooding, big bold expressive firm structured full bodied black fruits with notes of cedar, cigar box, dark mocha chocolate - actually a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Biggest and most expressive Insignia ever experienced. 

Second WOTN - Crowd Pleaser …. Kathryn Hall - dark garnet colored, sensuous, silky smooth polished, elegant, opulent, sweet ripe dark berry fruits with sweet mocha, sweet tannins - another blend - 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot.

Another WOTN candidate - Cos d’Estournel - bright garnet - medium to full bodied, surprisingly big, bold, forward and expressive black berry fruits - sumptuous round smooth tannin laced finish. Best Cos on memory! 

Freemark Abbey Bosche’ - surprisingly big, bold, forward, expressive black berry & cherry fruits - almost obtuse, needed time to settle - more approachable on day two. 

BV Georges de Latour - Surprise high achiever - big bold, expressive, complex, earthy, smoky dark berry fruits with notes of black tea, creosote and tobacco on moderate tannin finish. 

Leoville Las Cases - Surprisingly subdued, lacking bold or expressive sprites - elegantly balanced - perhaps going through remissive closed phase …  flawless?

Plumpjack Founders Reserve - Going on thirty - fill level and cork still pristine - dark garnet - barnyard funky on opening, needed decant and two hours to reveal full round black berry fruits with spice, tobacco, cedar and leather finish. Also better on day two. 
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Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Phelps Syrah with BBQ Ribs Dinner

Phelps Syrah with BBQ Ribs Dinner 

Linda prepared BBQ ribs and I pulled from the cellar this aged Syrah from one of our favorite producers for a food/wine pairing. 

This is from Joseph Phelps, primarily known for ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux varietal blends. 

Our Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery Tasting,  a private tasting at the spectacular Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Winery hospitality center, was a highlight of our Pour Boys  2017 Sonoma/Napa Wine Experience.

I acquired this label at auction a while back and was delighted to find this buried in our wine cellar, a label we’ve never had, so we were eager to try this, ideally paired with one of favorite pairings. 

According to the Joseph Phelps website, this label is only available exclusively to Phelps Preferred wine club members. 

Here is the Wine Bid Auction profile of Joseph Phelps Vineyards 

“Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery based in St. Helena. It was founded in 1973 when Joseph Phelps, a building contractor from Colorado, arrived in Napa Valley to build wineries. He soon decided to make his own wine and purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena. Phelps Vineyards now owns or leases 560 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast. The estate owns choice properties in St. Helena, Stags Leap, Oakville, Rutherford, South Napa Valley and Oak Knoll. Phelps is best known for Insignia, its flagship Napa Valley blend of red Bordeaux varieties first produced in 1974. Awarded Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year” in 2005, Insignia is widely regarded as a qualitative benchmark for California winemaking. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, Phelps also grows Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Scheurebe. The estate produces 50,000 cases annually from Napa Valley and an additional 15,000 cases from the Sonoma Coast.”

Joseph Phelps Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Syrah 2012 

This is a blend of 94% Syrah and 6% estate co-fermented Viognier, the 2012 Syrah was aged 18 months in 41% new and 59% neutral French oak. A total of  900 cases were produced. 

This was rated 90-93 points by Robert Parker, 90-92 points by Antonio Galloni (Vinous), and 91 points by Wine Spectator

Winemaker Notes - “The 2012 Syrah is filled with aromatic ripe raspberry, fresh thyme, dried sage, cigar box and subtle hints of violet. Black cherry, dark plum and pepper spice flavors mingle together in harmony for a long, lingering velvety finish.”

Antonio Galloni (Vinous) notes “There is plenty of potential in this plush, full-bodied Syrah. As always, the straight Syrah is a bit chunkier than the Hyde bottling, but that is more of an observation than a critique.” This indicates there is a straight Syrah bottling out there somewhere, versus this blend which we acquired in the after-market (auction).

This was dark opaque purple colored, full bodied,  dense, concentrated but subdued and smooth blackberry and black currant fruit with notes of black tea, spice, licorice, smoke, pepper, leather and roasted meats, hints of camphor. The subtlety of this might indicate that at a dozen years, this is past its prime and the fruits have started to diminish a bit giving way to non-fruit flavors. We won’t know having never tasted this release earlier in its aging life. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1905659

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/1905659

https://www.josephphelps.com/


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Saturday, September 14, 2024

Pour Boys - Winers and Diners Fall Cityscape Dinner 2024

 Pour Boys - Winers and Diners Fall Cityscape Dinner 2024

The Winers and Diners contingent of our Pour Boys wine group met for another CityScape dinner hosted by Terry and Lyle F.  This is the group traditionally hosted by Lyle and Terry at their West Loop Chicago pede-a-tere turned luxury flat. 

We had the extended group of regulars for the wonderful evening of dinner and fine wines.

The gala dinner main course dry rub ribs cooked on the grill, fingerling potatoes, cole slaw, corn bread, and a southwest bean combo.

Prior to dinner the appetizer course included gezpacho, an extensive selection of artisan cheeses, shrimp, and deviled eggs, charcuterie, pickles and olives.


For the appetizer course there was a broad selection of sparkling and still white wines. 


Dan assisted Lyle in set-up and the dinner preparation including grilling of the ribs. 

Moving to the dinner course we had an extensive selection of red wines to complement the extensive dinner courses. 

The wine flight included several memorable labels from visits to the producer estate by members or combinations of members of the group. 

The red flight, in serving/tasting order:

  • Domaine Grand Veneur “Les Origines” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006
  • Chateau de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016
  • Peter Michael Les Pavots 2008
  • Joseph Phelps Backus Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
  • Rubissow Reserve Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
  • Hall Winery Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
  • Clarendon Hills Clarendon Moritz Shiraz 2011
  • Lagier-Meredith “Tribidrag” Mt Veeder Red Wine 2019
  • Seghezio Rockpile Zinfandel 2016
  • Honig Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Highlights - 

Peter Michael "Les Pavots" Knights Valley Bordeaux Blend 2008

It would be easy to say this was my WOTN - WINE OF THE NIGHT with its sophisticated Bordeaux Blend although when taking into account the food and wine pairing, this might be best suited for a grilled beef tenderloin, and some of the other bolder wines better suited to the grilled ribs. In any event, this is a spectacular wine. 

This is Peter Michael’s flagship with every attention to detail such as single berry selection, Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot. 

The 2008 Peter Michael "Les Pavots" was awarded a near perfect 98 points, “Top 100 of 2011, Collectible” by WS, 97 by James Suckling, 95 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and 94 by ST of Int'l Wine Cellar.

Dark ruby colored, full bodied, smooth, elegant, polished, seamlessly integrated and balanced black currant blackberry and plum fruits with notes of tobacco, mocha chocolate, licorice and hint of cedar and truffles with silky smooth firm tannins on a lingering finish. 

RM 95 points. 



Hall Winery Stag’s Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

My WOTN - Wine of the Night candidate would be this Stag’s Leap District Napa Cab, a label we know well. 

Bill brought this from his home cellar in Charleston. We’ve Visited the Hall Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Winery and Cellars several times including back in 2013 and then again in 2017 as posted again in these pages - Hall Rutherford Winery Estate Appellation Tasting. 

During our many tastings and visits to the magnificent Hall Cellars together over the years, we’ve tasted this amongst the broad portfolio of highly rated ultra-premium Hall wines. Bill acquired this as part of his wine club allocation.

Records show we tasted and acquired this wine during our visits there and as part of our Club allocations. Bill beat me to the draw and brought one first to one of our (joint) tastings, while I still hold this label in our cellar. 
 
This was rated 97+ points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 95-97 points by Jeb Dunnuck and 93 by Vinous.

Bill’s notes on this wine as posted in CellarTracker -  WConnolly Likes This Wine and gave it 94 points - “Needs two hour decant for the heat to blow off but this is spectacular. Dark black and blue fruit with cinnamon and pepper on the palate. Very full bodied and brooding. Grippy tannins and plenty of backbone. After a couple of hours of air, some subtle herbal notes emerge but this is very fruit forward. Lingering finish. This was one of my offerings for a barbecue dinner and this was spicy enough to stand up to the grilled ribs, beans and cornbread.

Dark inky blue-purple-black colored, full bodied, firmly structured but elegant, smooth and polished, concentrated, rich layers of ripe blackberry, black raspberry and cherry fruits with notes of lavender, earth, cinnamon spice, crème de cassis hints of cigar box, with ripe, firm, grainy tannins on a long deep finish.

RM 95 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?2639918

Joseph Phelps Backus 2003

This other ultra-premium Napa Cabernet likely would’ve been a candidate for WOTN if only I hadn’t missed it in the tasting as it was depleted before I had a chance to sample it. 

This is from another favorite producer. We all visited the Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery for a Private Tasting during that same trip to Napa. Ernie brought this special bottle as well, both he and Dan hold a vertical collection in their cellars that they acquire as part of their wine club allocations. 

Rubissow Special Reserve Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Several of us also visited the Rubissow Mt Veeder estate and vineyards during our Napa Valley Mt Veeder Wine Experience back in 2011. We featured that visit in these pages in this post - https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2011/03/mt-veeder-appellation-trail-rubissow-mt.html.

While several of us, Eric, Bill and I, all placed orders for wine during that trip, and opted-in on joining their wine club, only Eric got their newsletter and solicitations and offers on new wine releases. He acquired this limited release special bottling as part of those offerings. 

While this was the best Rubissow I’ve ever tasted, it lacked the power, opulence, elegance and finess of the aforementioned bottles. It was very good none-the-less. 

While we each acquired Rubissow wines over the years, at the winery and at auction, none of have this label in our cellars, so we won’t likely see it again for a follow on comparison tasting - especially since Rubissow discontinued production under their own label and this was their final vintage release. 

This release was crafted by Tim Milos of Opus One, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Cliff Lede fame. It was packaged in a heavy oversized bottle with painted logo on the front and label info on the rear.

True to Mt Veeder profile, this was big and powerful jammy black fruits with accents of cassis, spice and black tea notes, with fresh acidity and a long, spicy, toasty finish. 

RM 93 points. 


In the spirit of BBQ Ribs being the theme for the evening, several of the labels were targeted at, to be paired with, and ideally suited for this focus - most notably the Zinfandels and the Chateauneuf-du-Papes. In that regard, one of the more interesting and unique wines of the evening was a Zinfandel ‘cousin’ - as noted by Carol Lagier - another producer we visited together on our Mt Veeder appellation tour. 

Lagier-Meredith “Tribidrag” Mt Veeder Red Wine 2019
 
This is a classic wine to take to a blind tasting for fun and folly - a real challenge. We learned during our visit to Lagier Meredith back in 2011 that Carol was a Research Geneticist who studied the DNA of wine varietals. We were intrigued to learn of her findings determining the shared lineage of Syrah and Shiraz.  

For 23 years Carol Meredith was a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California at Davis, commenting daily between Napa and Davis with the aid of audio books and Starbucks.

In addition to teaching courses, she conducted research in grape genetics. Her research group used DNA profiling methods to discover the origins of some of the greatest old wine varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

In partnership with Steve Lagier, in 1986, they bought a property back a steep, bumpy, rutted 1.5 mile dirt road high up on Mt Veeder. Steve worked at Mondavi for 14 years before leaving in 1999 to devote all his time to their own vineyard and wine. Carole Meredith left her ‘day job’ in 2003. 

Because they both had day jobs, it took several years to prepare the land for their first vines that were planted in 1994. The vineyard occupied only a small part of the 84-acre property - the rest remaining in its natural state., Their first release was in 2000. 

Lagier Meredith focused on Rhône varietals, and some other unique and interesting 'varietals such as this Tribidrag. 

In her studies at Davis, and then for a period while working at Mondavi, Carole had been in charge of the project that ultimately determined the origin of Zinfandel to be the ancient Croatian variety, Tribidrag. Though it had long been thought to be Primitivo (which it is), Carole's groundbreaking work with DNA profiling led to the discovery of its Croatian origin.

Bill discovered this unique label during that visit to the estate back in 2011 and acquired it as part of their wine club allocation in the following years. 

This Trbidrag was uniquely smooth and polished, yet full and round with vibrant fruit akin a ‘traditional’ or typical Zinfandel. 

Bill posted his tasting notes for this in CellarTracker and wrote - “WConnolly Likes This Wine” and gave it 92 Points.

“Dark, inky color in the glass. Blackberry, Raspberry, pepper and a hint of sweetness on the finish. Full bodied with plenty of tannins, this will last until 2030 at least. a nice accompaniment to our barbecue dinner.”

Steve and Carroll sold their vineyard in 2022 to winemaker Aaron Pott, with whom they had worked for many years. They sold it for the sum of $0 in an agreement in which they would continue to live on the property and work in the vines for as long as they wished. 



Then, Terry served her delectable signature dessert course - Cheesecake bites and chocolate petit-fours prior to desert, her famous Mandarin Orange Cake with whipped cream and Cherry Chocolate Fudge Cake with fresh fruits and whipped cream. 



With the dessert course Lyle served a vintage port.

Grahams Vintage Port 2000

Lyle served this at our Pour Boys OTBN dinner back in 2020 when I wrote in these pages:

It is customary in these events that Lyle brings a vintage port from his collection. In recent years he has been disappointed by the showing of several labels, although the rest of us were not. Tonights selection was wonderful and met the highest expectations for the brand and the vintage. This may have been the best showing and best representation of a port in all our years of tasting together. 

At twenty years this was clearly at its prime but is perhaps only half way through its drinking window. What fun it will be to monitor this label as it ages, if you're fortunate enough to have acquired several bottles. 

This iconic release got 98 points from  James Suckling and Wine Spectator and was “Ranked #9 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2003”, 96 from Decanter, and  94 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and International Wine Cellar,  

James Suckling of Wine Spectator said, "This is the greatest glass of Graham I have ever tasted, young or old." It was recognized in the Top 100 of 2003 at No. 9, Collectibles. 

The 2000 vintage produced a very tiny crop, just 650 g per vine on average (they usually harvest 850 g per vine from Malvedos – their lowest yielding, most consistently cropping quinta). That said, the fruit was rich and concentrated. Wine Spectator summed it up saying, “ The 2000 growing season is known for quality over quantity.

Saturated black-ruby colored, full-bodied, superripe, powerful, huge, dense and rich black fruits,  yet balanced and smooth, opulent yet elegant, notes of mocha bitter chocolate and licorice and cassis, the finish lasts for minutes going on and on on your palate. 

This is what a vintage port is supposed to taste like and this is a benchmark standard bearer.  

RM 97 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=192

See postings of our other earlier group gatherings under OTBN - Open That Bottle Night, which traditionally occurs the last Saturday in February. 

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